19thC~Nomad Belt~Gold/Silver Inlaid Iron Fittings~Tibet

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19thC~Nomad Belt~Gold/Silver Inlaid Iron Fittings~Tibet

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Sold Date: 06/09/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

This is an antique Tibetan nomad's "utility" belt with a number of interesting features. Besides having very good examples of the ubitquitous flint pouch and sliding needle-case; t are 5 iron "conchos" with inlaid Tibetan silver scrolling foliate designs; an iron buckle with gold inlay, with an iron and gold fitting opposite; and a small antelope horn netsuke-like talisman as counter-balance for the flint pouch. T are a number of hand-wrought rings and chain connectors as well as ingenious sliding knots and thong-stops throughout. The flint-pouch still has tinder and the buckle still works with the braided end. This was definitely a "user" with overall wear commensurate with decades of daily use. The leather of the belt is rather stiff and cracked in places, but still whole. Everything is very dirty with Tibetan soil still firmly adhering in places. I have only removed the top layer of grime to reveal the mixed-metalwork, and have not attempted any concerted restoration. The gold and silver is in varying states of decay but still easily apparent with only my cursory cleaning. Even with it's distractions this piece is a great example of Tibetan arts and crafts in olden times.
I'm currently listing a powder horn and another pair of flint/tinder pouches that may also have been original to this belt.
Although t may be variance in the individual ages of some of the component pieces, I'm confident that nothing is newer than late 19th Century, and everything is from Tibet.
Approximately 44 inches long. Flint pouch = 5 X 2.5 inches Needle-case = 5 inches long Horn piece = 1 X 2 inches
Check out my other items ! I'm currently listing other Tibetan and Indian antiques along with the usual eclectica.