Knee Buckle
Unknown Artist
1730–75
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
1 7/16 x 1 1/8 in. (3.7 x 2.9 cm)
Classification
Buckle
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Alphonso T. Clearwater, 1933
Accession Number
33.120.153
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum Art, this delicate *Knee Buckle* (1730–75) exemplifies the refined silver craftsmanship of colonial America. Fashioned from gleaming silver and measuring just 1 7/16 x 1 1/8 inches, this petite accessory was designed to secure the kneebands of breeches—a staple of men's formal attire during the 18th century. Its small scale belies its role as a subtle yet luxurious adornment, likely produced by an unknown silversmith in one of the bustling urban centers like New York, Philadelphia, or Boston. In an era when silver objects signified wealt...