Shoe Buckle
1794-1795 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Gold or silver buckles for shoes were in fashion for most of the 18th century. They gave the finishing touches to elegant dress and were one of the few pieces of jewellery worn by men as well as women. Gentlemen wore matching shoe and knee buckles.
Making buckles became a highly skilled craft at which English silversmiths and jewellers excelled. Exquisitely wrought designs, glittering pastes and precious stones reflected the status of the wearer as well as the occasion. Cheaper and plainer versions were made of steel, brass and other metal alloys. By 1790 shoe buckles were falling out of use, except as part of ceremonial or court dress.
Making buckles became a highly skilled craft at which English silversmiths and jewellers excelled. Exquisitely wrought designs, glittering pastes and precious stones reflected the status of the wearer as well as the occasion. Cheaper and plainer versions were made of steel, brass and other metal alloys. By 1790 shoe buckles were falling out of use, except as part of ceremonial or court dress.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver with steel |
| Brief description | Silver with steel prong, London hallmarks for 1794-5, mark of Joshua Cooper (possibly). |
| Physical description | Shoe buckle, silver with steel prong. Octagonal, openwork design of a concave moulding with pearled edges interrupted at intervals by knot-work and rosettes. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Maker' s mark: IC. Prevously attributed to J.B. Cole, London. but now thought to be Joshua Cooper, London (Ref. Grimwade, 1216). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Gold or silver buckles for shoes were in fashion for most of the 18th century. They gave the finishing touches to elegant dress and were one of the few pieces of jewellery worn by men as well as women. Gentlemen wore matching shoe and knee buckles. Making buckles became a highly skilled craft at which English silversmiths and jewellers excelled. Exquisitely wrought designs, glittering pastes and precious stones reflected the status of the wearer as well as the occasion. Cheaper and plainer versions were made of steel, brass and other metal alloys. By 1790 shoe buckles were falling out of use, except as part of ceremonial or court dress. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.38-1909 |
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| Record created | June 9, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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