Woman's Girdle with Hexagram Pendant

Description A girdle was a loose belt that women wore hooked around the waist and from which might be suspended a pomander (scent holder), an amulet, keys, or a small purse. It might consist of simple gold links or be highly worked, as is this example. The six-pointed star (hexagram) suspended from the girdle was recognized in the mid 16th century by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike as a symbol that could draw the protection of God to the wearer.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
9/08/1958	Treatment	cleaned
9/19/1964	Treatment	cleaned; coated
11/23/1987	Treatment	cleaned
11/23/1987	Examination	examined for condition

Exhibitions

• Jewelry - Ancient to Modern. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1979-1980.

Provenance Mathias Komor, New York, New York [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1957, by purchase.

Credit Museum purchase, 1957