Knee buckle

Status

Not on view

Label Text

This buckle was once used to secure the knee bands on a pair of breeches, thereby dressing up an outfit for a formal occasion. It provided its owner an economical means of sporting the latest fashion. Its frame, made from a metal alloy that simulates silver, is adorned with sparkling pastes - rhinestones made of glass. It has a history of use in the Washington family.

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Date1770-1800

Geography Made - England

Medium/TechniqueWhite metal, paste, iron alloy

DimensionsOverall: 1 9/16 in. x 1 in. x 1/4 in. (3.96 cm x 2.54 cm x 0.64 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. James Love, 1932

Object numberW-830

DescriptionSmall oval buckle set with faceted, square glass pastes along the open, cast metal frame; two of the pastes are missing from their settings, located at four and six o'clock on the frame; the faceted, circular cut paste near the top of the frame is a replacement; iron chape with an anchor-shaped roll and two pronged fork hinged on central pin.
Published References

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