The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 21, 2026

A gilt-silver buckle shaped like a butterfly features intricate gold wirework and vibrant blue inlay. Large pink oval stones occupy the upper wings, while green teardrop stones sit in the lower wings. Small red stones accent the wing tips and base. Rows of tiny white pearls border the primary gems. A translucent blue stone forms the head, and a multicolored stone sits at the butterfly's center.

Buckle

1900s

China, Qing dynasty

(1644-1911)
Gilt-silver inlaid with semiprecious stones
Diameter: 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in.)
Bequest of Cornelia Blakemore Warner 1947.610
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

From the back, you can see that the buckle has two interlocking parts.

Description

This buckle has a silver gilt base with kingfisher feather inlay work and is set with semiprecious stones.
  • ?-1947
    Mrs. Worcester R. [Cornelia Blakemore] Warner [1859-1947], Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1947-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Facing the Ancestors: Chinese Portraits and Figure Painting – Chinese Gallery Rotation 240a, 241c. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (August 12, 2019-February 2, 2020).
  • {{cite web|title=Buckle|url=false|author=|year=1900s|access-date=21 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1947.610