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: Shoe Buckle
Date: late 600's
Geography: Made in Northern France
Culture: Frankish
Medium: Wrought silver plaque, loop, and tongue; silver rivets
Dimensions: Overall: 1 3/16 x 2 9/16 x 1/2 in. (3 x 6.5 x 1.2 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Silver
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.191.170
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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Finger Ring with Inscription, electrum (?) /gold, Frankish — Finger Ring with Inscription
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late 6th–early 7th century

Belt Buckle, Iron inlaid with silver, iron rivets with heads of copper alloy, Frankish — Belt Buckle
Frankish
late 6th–7th century

Buckle, Gilded bronze, garnet, and glass paste, Frankish — Buckle
Frankish
500–550

Belt Clasp, Leaded bronze, inlaid silver, iron rivets, Celtic — Belt Clasp
Celtic
2nd century BCE

One of a Pair of Gold Earrings with Garnets, Gold, garnets with patterned foil backings, silver rivets, Frankish — One of a Pair of Gold Earrings with Garnets
Frankish
second half 8th century

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