Belt fitting

One of the most valuable archaeological discoveries in post-war Szczecin is the late medieval treasure from Podzamcze, which consisted of jewellery, costume ornaments and Pomeranian coins. The coins did not constitute a large fortune; the jewellery made of gilded silver was much more valuable. An excellent way to invest wealth was often finely decorated clothing ornaments, including belts, clasps, buttons and jewels, including rings. The most impressive elements of the treasure trove of the find include buckles and belt fittings worn by patricians and wealthy townspeople. Richly ornamented openwork fittings stand out from the belt buckles made in the medieval casting technique. One of them was decorated with lilies and leaves similar to acanthus. The distribution and number of fittings on burgher's belts differed from those on knight's belts. These elements, made of gold, silver or, in the case of less wealthy people, iron sheets, had a decorative function and bound and stiffened the entire structure of leather and textile belts. Pockets were not invented until the end of the 16th century; before that, it was at the belt that keys, knives and other handy trinkets were carried, sometimes leather pouches.

Małgorzata Peszko