Buckle
Unknown Artist
dated 1570
Medium
Brass
Dimensions
H. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm); W. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm); thickness 9/16 in. (1.4 cm); Wt. 0.7 oz. (20 g)
Classification
Miscellaneous-Buckles & Ornament
Culture
German
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Bashford Dean, 1920
Accession Number
20.152.182
Art Historical Context
This exquisite brass buckle, crafted in Germany and dated 1570, a glimpse into the Renaissance's masterful metalworking traditions. Measuring just 1⅛ inches high and weighing a mere 0.7 ounces, its compact form belies the skill required to shape and finish such durable yet elegant hardware. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department it exemplifies the ornamental buckles used to secure belts, straps, or armor components, blending functionality with subtle artistry. In 16th-century Germany, buckles like this were more than utilitarian—they served as personal adornment...