Shoe Buckle
ca. 1780s (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 buckle is one of a pair, with Museum no. M.33-1909.
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 buckle is one of a pair, with Museum no. M.33-1909.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, steel prong |
| Brief description | Shoe buckle (one of a pair), silver with steel prong, Birmingham, ca. 1780-1790, mark of Thomas Willmore. |
| Physical description | Shoe buckle (one of a pair), silver with steel prong, four sided wavy shape, decorated with an openwork design with an interlacing ribbon and rosette rim. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| 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. This buckle is one of a pair, with Museum no. M.33-1909. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.33A-1909 |
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| Record created | April 5, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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