Name of Object:

Buckles (Pafti)

Other name of the Object (second name):

Bridal waist ornament

Name in original language:

Pafti – nevestinski ukras za pojas

Location:

Skopje, North Macedonia

Holding Institution:

Museum of Macedonia

 About Museum of Macedonia, Skopje

Date of Object:

19th century

Inventory Number:

790

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Silver, filigree, granulation. Decoration with semi-precious stones, pearls and live gold plating

Dimensions:

28 x 10 cm

Provenance:

Skopje

Description:

Buckles were distinctive articles of adornment used throughout the centuries by Macedonian women. They were the most frequently worn and most exquisite articles of adornment in Macedonian women’s folk attire. Buckles used to be adorned with stylized geometric and floral patterns, the artistic effect having been emphasized by the application of decorative stones, filigree ornaments, gold-plating, pearls, mother-of-pearl, corals, chains and other embellishments. This outstanding set of buckles in leaf shapes is decorated with pearls and semi-precious stones, by application of the technique of "live" gold-plating.

Citation of this web page:

Milena Petrovic, ethnologist "Buckles (Pafti)" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;mc;6;en

Prepared by: Milena Petrovic, ethnologist
Copyedited by: Daniel de la VegaDaniel de la Vega

Daniel de la Vega is a copy editor based in Portland, Oregon. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2014 and has since done editing and localization work on everything from college applications to magazines to video game dialogue.

MWNF Working Number: MC 006