{"product_id":"1983-chanel-gold-4-strand-chain-belt-with-lion-and-cc-medallions","title":"1983 Chanel Gold 4-Strand Chain Belt with Lion and CC Medallions","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis striking Chanel belt dates to the Spring Advance 1983 collection, the season now termed Cruise or Resort. We have found a near-identical example documented with this collection, whose jewellery was designed by Eva Compocasso. It dates from the very beginning of Karl Lagerfeld’s tenure at Chanel and is an unusually early example of the elaborate multi-strand chain belts that would become increasingly important to the house throughout the 1980s and 1990s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlmost certainly gold-plated, the belt is constructed from substantial curb chain and has an unusual four-row arrangement across the front, with each strand graduating in length to create a layered drape over the waist. Circular medallions mark the points where the chains meet, each embossed with a sculptural lion’s head. The lion was a longstanding Chanel motif and a reference to Gabrielle Chanel’s zodiac sign, Leo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA longer single chain falls from one side and terminates in a large lion medallion, with the interlocking Chanel double-C logo embossed on the reverse. The belt fastens by hooking through this chain, allowing the length and amount of drape to be adjusted. The substantial hook is discreetly signed “CHANEL” in small capital letters. Chain belts became progressively heavier and more exuberant through the later 1980s and 1990s, frequently incorporating increasingly oversized coins, medallions and house motifs, making this early design a fascinating precursor to the style now so closely associated with Lagerfeld-era Chanel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt is in very good, verging on excellent, vintage condition. The chains retain their rich gold finish with no notable wear. There is some light tarnishing to the lion side of the largest medallion, consistent with age, but this does not detract when worn. This is very flexible in terms of sizing due to the adjustable hook fastening and could even be worn as a necklace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMEASUREMENTS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLENGTH - 39 in. (99 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCOIN DIAMETER - 1 in. (2.5 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePENDANT DIAMETER - 1.2 in. (3 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CIRCA VINTAGE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57220434755962,"sku":null,"price":1750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0398\/5978\/1798\/files\/Chanel_Gold_Chain_Belt_with_Lion_Coins_-_2_copy_e8523efe-7dc5-45f9-9872-e74d3261476e.jpg?v=1788263759","url":"https:\/\/www.circavintage.com\/products\/1983-chanel-gold-4-strand-chain-belt-with-lion-and-cc-medallions","provider":"CIRCA VINTAGE","version":"1.0","type":"link"}