ArtFire

Vintage silver belt handmade chain and filigree paisley patterns all along the belt chain. Two silver beads hang at the fastening of the belt and silver coin-like medallions hang at the tips of the belt ends. Can also be worn as a necklace.

Why a paisley pattern in a Middle Eastern silver belt. Well for the brief background on the pattern, I owe the Wikipedia post by Mr. Kumar on the subject.

He writes that the paisley is "Iranian and Indian in origin, but its western name derives from the town of Paisley, in central Scotland."

I knew the first part of his information, but had no idea that the teardrop pinched on the end shape of the paisley was at all related to a place in the United Kingdom. In my mind it has been associated mainly with Persia or Iran as its modern name.

Mr. Kumar's article points out that indeed "In Persian the design is known as boteh jegheh and it has been used in Iran since the Sassanid Dynasty, 200 - 650 AD. Some design scholars call the distinctive shape boteh and believe it is the convergence of a stylized floral spray and a cypress tree: a Zoroastrian symbol of life and eternity."

You cannot travel very far in the Middle East without finding beautiful silks and cottons stamped or embroidered with this most appealing of textile patterns.

It often inspires silversmiths and goldsmiths as well as the textile designers. The silversmith who made this belt was so inspired and envisioned and crafted this belt that I collected in Jordan in 1979.

Length: 28 - 34 inches.

For anyone who pays by Paypal or Amazon, I can offer to hold the item on reserve for you for up to 10 days. Please contact me with request.

silver

International Buyers are welcome to my California based shop. Please browse, ask questions, discuss items, shipping, or guarantees. Please use the Contact Seller link, not the comment box. I am happy to respond quickly to any of your inquiries. I will consider shipping to other countries than are listed here, depending on the import regulations of the country.

Shipping is available to all addresses after payment is posted. Unless the customer requests and pays for an expedited method, domestic and international shipping is via United States Postal Service. The item will be wrapped carefully and packed in protective material in a postal service approved package. Delivery confirmation and insurance will be paid by me, the Seller.

On certain items, the shipping will be free.

I accept returned items if they are in the same condition as when shipped and if returned within a reasonable amount of time after receiving them. An item can be returned for any reason. I guarantee your satisfaction.

Lay-Away Plan is available to Paypal account holders on purchases amounting to US $200.00 and above. The schedule and amounts of payments are to be agreed upon by Buyer and Seller. The billing and payment are by private invoice.

RESERVE AND HOLD PLAN AVAILABLE. If interested, contact the seller.

For international buyers, it is important to note: If you need to know what import or VAT taxes your country may charge, please consult your Postal Service or government Tax Office.