Pair of Shoe Buckles
late 18th century (made)
| 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 | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver, steel prong |
| Brief description | Pair of shoe buckles, silver, London, late 18th century, possibly made by Samuel Cooke. |
| Physical description | Pair of shoe buckles, silver with steel prongs, rectangular, openwork design of interlacing oval and circular links with reeded surface. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'SC' (Maker's mark) |
| Object history | Maker's mark, 'SC', perhaps for Samuel Cooke, London, but no comparable mark for Samuel Cooke as maker in Grimwade. |
| 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.31&A-1909 |
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| Record created | June 9, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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