Buckle
Unknown Artist
ca. 1550
Medium
Brass
Dimensions
H. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm); W. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); thickness 1/8 in. (0.3 cm); Wt. 0.3 oz. (8 g)
Classification
Miscellaneous-Buckles & Ornament
Culture
possibly Italian
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Bashford Dean, 1920
Accession Number
20.152.186
Art Historical Context
This delicate brass buckle, dating to around 1550 and possibly of Italian origin, exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Renaissance metalwork. Measuring just 7/8 inch high and 1 3/4 inches wide, its petite scale belies its functional elegance, designed likely for securing belts or straps in clothing or armor. Crafted from durable brass—a favored material for its malleability and golden sheen—this ornament reflects the era's blend of utility and artistry, where even everyday accessories became miniature sculptures. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department, the ...