Antique Medieval Georgian Buckle 24-Piece Framed Copper Historical Display Set For Sale

Framed collection of 24 antique copper-alloy buckles and related fittings, broadly spanning the medieval through Georgian periods. Single and double-loop buckle frames, surviving plates, decorative openwork forms, and separate tongues, chapes, and later shoe or knee buckles. Varied surfaces and verdigris of different ages and burial environments. This is a basically a 600-some year long snapshot of buckle history condensed into a beautifully executed humble display.

Probably assembled 1950-1980 and most likely from the UK, though not certain. The pieces are all hand sewn to a textile-covered backer within a custom wood shadowbox. The assembly and framing appear basic but it's just very well done. Gold-painted inner fillet, fitted wooden back, domed slotted brass screws, and a finely made split-ring hanger. The glazing has a very slight plasticized appearance under raking light, most likely early anti-glare/reflection treatment. You can see in the photos, very little reflection in the glass. Frame dims: 335 mm by 285 mm, a bit over 11"x13". It is a metric frame.

• Varied aged surfaces, oxidation, verdigris, deposits, and losses.
• Wood frame has slight scattered wear marks. No conservation work was performed on the wood, which remains in as-found condition. Slight loss on fillet paint noted in photos.
• Backer temporarily removed and glass cleaned, dust blown out prior to reassembly. The original mounts were left undisturbed and glass is sealed in the frame itself, left undisturbed.
• Frame was reassembled and resealed internally with archival tape.

This display will be wrapped with archival materials, with additional protection applied to the glass and frame corners, and packed in a reinforced box. Ships by USPS, UPS, or FedEx Ground, depending on destination and service conditions. Typically ships within 1 business day. Rates to Alaska and Hawaii differ from continental US; please message for quote. International shipping available through 's Global Shipping Program.

Buckles are a collecting and research rabbit hole! This collection received a preliminary typological review to establish a broad date range, most likely 1200's to late 1700's, but we have not exhaustively researched the pieces, so hopefully there's something rare in the display. For those new to the subject, the British Museum's online buckle collection provides an extensive starting point for comparing forms across periods. It's an easy resource to locate, called 'Finds'.