Stock Buckle thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Stock Buckle

ca. 1780 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

New hairstyles for men in the 1720s and 1730s prompted a change in neckwear. Hair was worn shorter and confined at the nape in a small black silk bag. A stock made of folded and pleated linen or cotton created the effect of a white column supporting the head.

Stocks continued to be worn for formal and full dress throughout the 18th century. They were fastened at the back of the neck by a button, tape or detachable buckle. Buckles were commonly used because they were easier to adjust and kept the stock firmly in place with three or four studs inserted into buttonholes at one end, the other end being fastened by prongs.

Stock buckles are usually oblong with a distinctive pattern formed by the studs and prongs. Some are very plain but they can be more elaborate. Buckles could also be worn at the front and some fashionable gentlemen such as the dandy Richard ‘Beau’ Nash chose to be painted with the buckle showing. Also known as clasps, stock buckles were included in clothing issued to officers of the 17th Light Dragoons in 1778.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver with steel chape
Brief description
Silver with steel chape, England, about 1780, mark of Richard Rugg
Physical description
Stock buckle, silver with steel prongs. Oblong with rounded corners, the rim decorated with faceted pellets against a pounced ground; hinged chape with three prongs.
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.6cm
  • Width: 3.4cm
  • Depth: 0.7cm
Marks and inscriptions
'RR.' (Maker's mark for Richard Rugg)
Summary
New hairstyles for men in the 1720s and 1730s prompted a change in neckwear. Hair was worn shorter and confined at the nape in a small black silk bag. A stock made of folded and pleated linen or cotton created the effect of a white column supporting the head.

Stocks continued to be worn for formal and full dress throughout the 18th century. They were fastened at the back of the neck by a button, tape or detachable buckle. Buckles were commonly used because they were easier to adjust and kept the stock firmly in place with three or four studs inserted into buttonholes at one end, the other end being fastened by prongs.

Stock buckles are usually oblong with a distinctive pattern formed by the studs and prongs. Some are very plain but they can be more elaborate. Buckles could also be worn at the front and some fashionable gentlemen such as the dandy Richard ‘Beau’ Nash chose to be painted with the buckle showing. Also known as clasps, stock buckles were included in clothing issued to officers of the 17th Light Dragoons in 1778.
Collection
Accession number
M.1-1934

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 3, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest