Straits Chinese Solid Gold Belt

1900s solid gold Straits Chinese belt set in 20k.

The filigree style is wholly Victorian, its Straits provenance the only case for its Anglo-Sino classification.

There are 14 carved gold panels, the 15th divided into two half panels.

The feather and crest initials liken the belt to much of Victorian jewelry featuring insignia, though it must be said a thing as this will come into being only from an Oriental’s true love for (the beauty of) gold.

Seldom is a lengthy belt forged in solid gold in Victorian England (outside royal realm), except this is not uncommon in this part of the world.

But one in this make is distinguished.

Its wholesome aesthetic suggests the belt could date from much before the turn of the last century, seen from its early period style and also understanding the cultural and economic history of this region after its prewar ‘boom’.

In fact, there is nothing ‘Chinese’ about the belt’s aesthetic, apart from the Chinese name characters primitively edged behind one of the panels.

Tiny details like the twelve punched stars say more than their size, really wanting to be as English as possible, since stars in this neat way do not typically feature in traditional Straits Chinese jewelry.

The filigree is hand carved and so is every detail you see, no two strokes are exact since handiwork cannot be. This makes the gold work exquisite.

Such supple gold work leaves us a belt that is as wearable as it was the day it was fashionably made. This cannot be said for later pieces or even some lookalikes, especially when fashion renders many merely ornamental or memorabilia.

This is one fantastic belt that will fit up to 33″ nicely, fantastic because a person with a 27″ waist will wear it just as nicely, its extra panels tucked under inconspicuously.

One does not need to remove any panel to fit – the belt can be shared.

The buckle is 7cm by 9.5cm, each panel is only 4cm tall, meaning the belt is 4cm wide throughout, a comfortable thickness to cinch at the waist or sit at the hips.

Its soulfulness peerless, all 345.4 grams of it.