Decorative buckle

Antique Imperial Russian silver Cossack belt buckle, including 4 matching decorative loops (±1900) A truly beautiful antique Niello Imperial Russian Cossack silver belt buckle, including 4 matching decorative loops. The Russian silver marks date this lovely item to the 10 years before the Russian Revolution i.e. 1908 - 1917. The design of the buckle is typical in two parts, with a small miniature Russian dagger on a chain, that closes the buckle when it is stuck through both parts. - The size of the buckle, when closed is 54 x 72 millimeters. - The weight of the buckle is 26,9 grams. - The size of the 4 loops is 18 x 44 millimeters. - The 4 loops together weight 16 grams. All are in excellent condition and have no damage. On the back of the buckle the silver hallmarked with silvermark 84 Zolotniki (which corresponds to.875 pure silver) and makersmark “MM”, with Niello finish. The Silver Quality Mark is 84. In Russia the base mark for 100% pure silver was 96 so that this silver rating can be translated as 84/96 or.875 pure silver. Niello is a black mixture, usually of sulphur, copper, silver, and lead, used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal, especially silver. It is added as a powder or paste, then fired until it melts or at least softens, and flows or is pushed into the engraved lines in the metal. It hardens and blackens when cool, and the niello on the flat surface is polished off to show the filled lines in black, contrasting with the polished metal (usually silver) around it. It is very unusual that the buckle and the loops are still complete as a set. A true little gem! En savoir plus Collaboration commerciale.