Gilt Bronze Belt Buckle Inlaid With Stones. China, Kangxi-qianlong Period.

The buckle is made of sand-cast bronze, covered with a thick mercury gilding. Decorated with raised foliage scrolls in a style inspired by European Baroque, typical of the early Qing. 5 cabochons of semi-precious stones were set in welded relief sockets. Two stones remain, one of green jade and the other of pink crystal. The sides are covered with a frieze of Greek incised with a burin. On the reverse, a welded copper plate holds two fixing bars. It is interesting to note that the shapes of the stones are random, this is not due to the clumsiness of the goldsmith but probably conceals a symbolism. It would seem that these stones were not cut for this buckle, but that the buckle was created to wear older stones. Were these stones that had adorned the jewel of an ancestor? Did they have such an important past for the sponsor that he would have a jewel made from them in turn? Good condition of the gilding, a lack of metal next to the pink crystal cabochon. Chinese work from the beginning of the Qing dynasty around 1700-1750. 85x50x20mm