Silver Shoe Buckle

late 600's

Not on view

Belts were important features of early medieval dress. Not only did they serve the practical function of holding weapons and tools, but their fittings, which could vary in terms of material, decoration, and size, were also highly visible indicators of rank and status. Iron buckles, many imposing in size, were worn by both men and women. Their intricate decoration was achieved by squeezing narrow twisted strips of silver into patterns engraved on the surface of the prefabricated iron pieces. A complete belt would have consisted of a buckle, a counter plate that was placed opposite the buckle, and sometimes a rectangular plate placed in the middle of the belt at the back for decoration.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Silver Shoe Buckle
Date: late 600's
Geography: Made in Northern France
Culture: Frankish
Medium: Silver
Dimensions: Overall: 1 1/2 x 11/16 x 1/4 in. (3.8 x 1.8 x 0.6 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Silver
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.191.181
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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second half 8th century

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