A SET OF SEVEN GILT BRONZE BELT FITTINGS
Liao dynasty, 11th century
Comprised of a belt buckle, four oval fittings, a double-bear pendant, and a rectangular belt end, cast with crouching bears in relief, the back of each with three nails for piercing the leather belt and securing to the metal plate behind, a rectangular slot at each of the four oval fittings for hanging straps, the gilding in the front slightly worn, with cuprite and malachite incrustation, the back heavily encrusted with malachite and earth from burial.
3 3/4in (9.8cm) width of pendant (7).
Footnotes:
遼 銅鎏金蹀躞帶銙及帶扣七件

The present example may belong to a larger ensemble of diexie belt, worn by Liao horsem3n as a symbol of wealth and status. A complete set of diexie belt made of jade, gilt bronze, and silk was discovered from the tomb of the Princess of Chen and Xiao Shaoju in Inner Mongolia, illustrated by H. Shen (ed.) in the catalog of the exhibition organized by the Asia Society, Gilded Splendor: Treasures of China's Liao Empire (907-1125), New York, 2006, pp. 142-143, no. 21.

PLEASE NOTE: This report describes, but may not be limited to, major condition issues for the lot.


Overall in stable, original condition. Leather or textile remains where the back plates still attached. Gilding worn in places.