Set Of Silver Shoe Buckles And Pant Buckles

Set of shoe buckles and breeches buckles in silver, steel, and rhinestones – 18th century

A late 18th-century men’s set, consisting of a pair of large shoe buckles and a pair of small breeches buckles, preserved in an antique velvet-lined case.

The four rectangular buckles feature a rich decoration of cut rhinestones, arranged in regular rows on silver and steel settings. The hinged steel fasteners are still intact.

In the 18th century, the shoe buckle went far beyond its simple utilitarian function to become a true jewel of men’s attire. Placed prominently on the top of the shoe, the buckles complemented the most elegant suits.
Since they were removable, they could be transferred from one pair of shoes to another. Models adorned with rhinestones created a particularly spectacular effect: the stones’ multiple facets caught the light and made the shoes sparkle at receptions, balls, and candlelit soirées.
The two large buckles in our collection perfectly illustrate this refined men’s fashion trend of the second half of the 18th century.
The two smaller buckles, which match the large shoe buckles, are breeches buckles.
Eighteenth-century men’s breeches fell below the knee and were meant to be fitted there. The small buckles were used to fasten and adorn this part of the garment, just above the stockings.

Worn together with the large shoe buckles, they thus formed a truly coordinated set, contributing to the harmony and refinement of men’s attire.

The appeal of this set also lies in the abundant use of rhinestones, which is closely linked to the history of 18th-century jewelry.
The term takes its name from Georg Friedrich Strass (1701–1773), a jeweler of Alsatian origin who settled in Paris. During the first half of the 18th century, he perfected the manufacture of artificial glass stones with high refractive power, designed to effectively replicate the brilliance and play of light of a diamond.
These imitations were so successful that the name “Strass” eventually came to refer to this type of stone itself.
Strass naturally found its place not only in jewelry but also in precious costume accessories. Cut into multiple facets and set in large numbers, as on these buckles, it multiplied the reflections and created a remarkable impression of opulence.

The combination of silver, steel, and strass is particularly characteristic of these fashion accessories from the second half of the 18th century.
The jewelry box also features, in its central compartment, an element adorned with a cameo, surrounded by extensive rhinestone decoration.
This piece appears to be antique and stylistically consistent with the period of the set. However, its location and nature lead us to believe that it was added later: it does not appear to have been part of the set’s original composition and was likely placed in the case at a later date.
The set remains particularly decorative and offers an interesting glimpse into men’s fashion and adornment during the Ancien Régime, at a time when men’s attire could rival women’s jewelry in terms of refinement.

Dimensions of shoe buckles: 7.5 cm x 5 cm

Dimensions of breeches buckles: 4.8 cm x 3.5 cm

Please note: some rhinestones are missing; the top part of the case is missing.