Silver belt hook, partly gilded, with a lion holding a shield over a buckled belt on the front, France, 1838-1860.

Silver belt-hook, partly gilded, with the front shaped like a buckled belt, with a standing lion, looking backwards and holding a shield, superimposed over the space in the centre. A short chain of graduated decorative links, alternating gilt and silver, hangs from the lower edge of the belt, with a swivel ring at the bottom. The hook is slightly flared, and hinged to the back of the belt. Its lower end is bent over, so that it faces the front, and is decorated with an engraved floral pattern which matches that on the gilt links of the chain. There is a small vertical hook at each side on the back of the belt.

This belt hook or chatelaine was described as late 18th-century Dutch when it was acquired in 1863. The marks show that it was made in France in the 19th century, probably not long before it reached the museum.

9025-1863