Shoe Buckle thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

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.


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
  • Height: 5.89cm
  • Width: 4.87cm
  • Depth: 2.17cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'GS' possibly for George Smith II (Maker's mark, in script.)
  • Incomplete hallmarks, lion passant only
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 createdJune 9, 2005
Record URL
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