Pair of Shoe Buckles
ca. 1800 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Men, women and children wore shoe buckles. They became fashionable in the 1660s and were used in various shapes and forms into the 19th century, although from the 1790s their popularity declined.
Shoe buckles were attached to two straps which they secured over the instep of the shoe. When in use, only the decorative frame of the buckle was visible, while the straps hid the middle bar and prongs.
The frame of this buckle is made from blued steel. The colouring was either achieved by exposing the steel to heat or pickling it with acid. Blueing not only looked attractive but also provided some protection against rusting.
Shoe buckles were attached to two straps which they secured over the instep of the shoe. When in use, only the decorative frame of the buckle was visible, while the straps hid the middle bar and prongs.
The frame of this buckle is made from blued steel. The colouring was either achieved by exposing the steel to heat or pickling it with acid. Blueing not only looked attractive but also provided some protection against rusting.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Blued steel |
| Brief description | Pair of rectangular shoe buckles made from blued steel, England, ca. 1800 |
| Physical description | A rectangular shoe buckle made from steel blued either by heat or acid. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by the Rev. R. Brooke |
| Summary | Men, women and children wore shoe buckles. They became fashionable in the 1660s and were used in various shapes and forms into the 19th century, although from the 1790s their popularity declined. Shoe buckles were attached to two straps which they secured over the instep of the shoe. When in use, only the decorative frame of the buckle was visible, while the straps hid the middle bar and prongs. The frame of this buckle is made from blued steel. The colouring was either achieved by exposing the steel to heat or pickling it with acid. Blueing not only looked attractive but also provided some protection against rusting. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 944&A-1864 |
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| Record created | February 11, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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