Belt
Unknown Artist
early 18th century
Medium
leather, silk, metal
Dimensions
35 1/4 in. (89.5 cm)
Classification
Accessory-Waist-Menswear
Culture
European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. William Ford Goulding, 1969
Accession Number
2009.300.2586
Art Historical Context
This elegant belt, crafted by an unknown European artisan in the early 18 century, exemplifies the refined menswear accessories of the Baroque era. Measuring 35¼ inches (89.5 cm) in length, it served as both a functional waist fastener and a subtle statement of style for gentlemen of the period. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, it reflects the era's blend of practicality and opulence, when men's fashion began emphasizing tailored silhouettes and discreet luxury. Made from leather, silk, and metal, the belt highlights masterful material combinations: durable leathe...