1970s SURREALIST black bronze CLASPED HANDS belt | new fall winter
m i n t : pristine with no signs of wear- possibly deadstock
e x c e l l e n t : signs of normal wear and age- no obvious flaws
v e r y g o o d : noted minor flaws that may have been already repaired - very wearable
g o o d : many noted minor flaws and/or mends -wearable
f a i r : numerous noted flaws and mends, some significant - still wearable
Beyond collectible surrealistic clasped hands belt. Originally created in the Victorian era and later adopted by Schiaparelli in her Fall/Winter 1934 collection. She was heavily influenced by the surrealist art movement. This collection featured miniature hands as belt buckles, bag closures, and buttons of coats, cloaks, and jackets. (The Met Museum has an example of this.)
Victoria Beckham then did a similar belt for her Fall/Winter 2020 collection. This iteration was done in the 1970's and is highly collectible. Two heavy, bronze hands link together with a pin and hole. The leather belt is done in a supple black leather and has several brass snaps to adjust. Since the hands are heavy, they are meant to hang a little lower that at the natural waist.
From the Met Museum: "An ultimate expression of Schiaparelli's interest in Surrealism, this belt was shown in the fall 1934 collection along with other pieces featuring the hand motif, such as a jacket, cape and handbag with hand-shaped fasteners. The hand was seen in many Surrealist artworks, such as those by Man Ray, and Schiaparelli used it in remarkable ways to accent her clothing designs. The wearer is literally embraced around the waist by the belt, an image echoed in the well-known jacket from the fall 1937 collection, featuring a woman with her golden sequined hair draped down one arm and her arm and hand wrapped across the body and waist, again embracing the wearer. The design was inspired by a drawing by Jean Cocteau for Schiaparelli."
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Brand: unknown
Size on Tag: none
Color: black
Material: leather/brass
Condition: Excellent Condition: bronze hands have wear consistent with age.
✂-----Measurements
Waist: 31" - 36"
Width: 1.5"
Buckle: 10" x 4" height