Katherine Parr ancient faces Replica Girdle Belt

Katherine Parr Portrait Replica Girdle Belt

This belt is a full long length Tudor style girdle belt for historical reenactment. It is my replica of the ancient faces girdle belt worn by Katherine Parr in the portrait attributed to Master John oil on panel, circa 1545, on display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG 4451)
Katherine Parr’s girdle belt is a rare piece of Tudor jewellery featuring a set of small cast faces worked into metal links. These faces are characteristic of 16th Century Renaissance ornaments, where makers used repeating masks, cherubs, and grotesques as decorative motifs.
The faces include classical style cherub/putti faces (infant like faces with soft rounded cheeks), and grotesque or mythological mask-like faces, a standard renaissance decorative motif used on belts, book covers and mounts. They were extremely fashionable in mid-16th Century English Court jewellery, influenced by Italian and German designs.
Girdle belts of this kind were status symbols, worn by high-ranking women at court.
The original faces would have been cast in silver gilt. Museum photos in research vary due to different lighting, angles or even different belts sometimes labelled as “Katherine Parr’s”. I have enhanced and made high resolution images from books and the museum portrait (NPG) to create by hand precise copies of the faces and set them inside glass. I have then set the glass into gold plated connectors.
One closeup of the belt features in the book “Six Lives” by Charlotte Bolland, NPG. The belt is also discussed in Nicola Tallis’ “All The Queen’s Jewels 1445-1548, Power, Majesty and Display” (page 134.)
For the top (waist) part of the belt I have used filigree joiners with Tudor ouches in antique gold plate. The length of the belt features 24 replica glass faces and dark amber glass beading with ornate bead caps. It is finished with a silk tassel in brick orange.

The belt is fully adjustable to fit with a sturdy extension chain to the back and waist.

I also make the brooch and necklace set from this portrait.

The belt is photographed on a Tudor gown to show you the full effect. The purchase price is for the belt only.

The belt will come wrapped in rose tissue paper and a pretty organza gift bag.