Images(2)

Shoe Buckle

Date1795-1805

OriginEngland; worn in America, Virginia

MediumSilver alloy (est), copper alloy, ferrous metals, glass

DimensionsLength: 4 ¼ inches Width: 2 ¾ inches

Credit LineGift of the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-242

DescriptionA very large paste and gilt shoe buckle. The buckle is a large rectangle with stones set in pairs of three. The interior edge is boarded with curved ribbon like bands that are gilt. The interior chapes are made from steel and iron. The tines are long and reinforced with a curved cross piece connected with a central bar.
Label TextMen and women fashionably wore shoe buckles from about the 1660s to the end of the 18th century. This buckle was worn by Daniel Ellet (1768-1842) who lived in King William and Henrico County, Virginia.
MarkingsNo Marks
ProvenanceWorn by Daniel Ellet [1768-1842] (King William County, VA); by descent to Loften Newman Ellet [1797-1865] (Henrico County, VA); by descent to James Dabney Ellett [1825-1862] (Henrico County, VA); by descent to Virginia Randolph Ellet [1857-1939] (Henrico County, VA); 1939 given to The Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2023-present, given to The Colonial Williamsburg (Williamsburg, VA)