BUCKLE

A complete copper alloy trapezoidal buckle, chape and pin, of Post Medieval dating (AD 1660 to AD 1720).

The buckle frame is trapezoidal in plan, with a drilled frame, for a separate spindle. The frame exhibits moulded decoration. Scrolled knops are present on either side of the spindle holes and a moulded pin rest is present on both of the outer loops. The pin rest moulding consists of engraved opposing oblique lines, imitating either a scallop shell or a leaf. The pin is triangular in shape, with a transverse moulded ridge at its base. A stud chape is still present attached to the spindle.

The buckle frame measures 39.6 mm in length, 35.4 mm wide and 4.3 mm thick. The pin measures 17.3 mm in length, 2.9 mm wide and 1.8 mm thick. The chape measures 31.9 mm in length, 13.2 mm wide and 6.9 mm thick. Overall the buckle measures 46.8 mm in length, 25.4 mm wide and 10.1 mm thick. It weighs 12.8 grams.

The buckle frame is a dark green to grey colour, with an even surface patina. Iron corrosion is present around the spindle, indicating that the spindle has been made from iron.

A similar buckle frame has been recorded as #610 and #611 by Whitehead (1996, p 98) and has been dated to the Early Post Medieval period (c. AD 1660 to AD 1720). Whitehead suggests that they were originally used as either shoe or knee buckles. Several similar buckles have been recorded on the PAS database including: WMID-2A7C98; WMID-CC0116 and LVPL-87EF64.