Shoe Buckle
ca. 1790 (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.
This silver buckle with a steel pinder – the loop at the back of the buckle – is one of a pair, with Museum no. M.34-1909.
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.
This silver buckle with a steel pinder – the loop at the back of the buckle – is one of a pair, with Museum no. M.34-1909.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Silver with steel pinder |
Brief description | Silver with steel pinder, (one of a pair), London, about 1790, possibly made by George Smith (II) |
Physical description | Shoe buckle, silver with steel pinder, rectangular, decorated with a running husk frieze on a concave rim. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Object history | Maker's mark 'GS' in script, perhaps for George Smith II, London, but the mark has not yet been fully substantiated. |
Subject 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. This silver buckle with a steel pinder – the loop at the back of the buckle – is one of a pair, with Museum no. M.34-1909. |
Associated object | |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.34A-1909 |
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Record created | June 9, 2005 |
Record URL |
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