Bridal belt, Southern Russia, 1701-1900

Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Cornelian-studded bridal belt intended to promote fecundity, from Southern Russia, 1701-1900

Exchanging bridal belts such as this is an old tradition. They are associated with the Jewish religion. They were often given on the eve of a wedding because they were believed to promote fertility. Bridal belts could be expensive so they were sometimes borrowed for the day. The belts of the bride and groom were tied together during the wedding ceremony.

This heavy belt is studded with three rows of orange Cornelian. Thirteen stones are in each row. Cornelian is a semi-precious gemstone. It is meant to have healing properties. The rear of the belt is riveted with pierced brass plates.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A630783
Materials:
belt, leather, decoration, brass and decoration, cornelian
Measurements:
opened: 60 mm x 470 mm x 275 mm, 1.48 kg
type:
belt