Material:  Cut Steel & Metal Beads, Silk, Kid Leather

Hallmark:  France

Size:  Length ~ 2 & 3/8 inches, Width ~ apx 2 inches

Quantity:  1 pair = 2 buckles

This elegant pair of antique Edwardian shoe buckles were beautifully crafted in France, c.1900 - 1910.
Pearly white, silver and several shades of gray round metal  beads were used, along with faceted silver and gray beads to form a sparkly border.  Larger cut steel beads, including round, half moon, and marquise shapes, accented with more round white beads, form a beautiful swirling center pattern.
Please note: in our images some of the cut steel beads appear somewhat bronzy, but they are all actually a shiny silver gray. This is due to camera  reflection or possibly our red background.  I want to stress that none of the beads have any of the rust, brown or bronze discoloration often seen on old cut steel articles.  All of the beads on both buckles are in excellent condition, free of rust, stains and corrosion.
The bead work is backed with hand stitched silvery gray silk satin.  Over this fabric, directly under the metal buckle attachment bar, is a piece of very soft black kid leather.  I have no idea if this is original or if the leather was placed on the buckles at a later date, and I’m not really sure of the purpose, other than to possibly provide some protection for the shoe from  beading rivets, etc.
The buckles are in exceptionally nice condition.  I see no missing beads, and as stated they are all very shiny and sparkly.  The fabric backing is very clean and nice.  One of  the buckles shows some slight pulling of the fabric backing right at the edge where it was hand  stitched, however I believe this occurred when the buckle was originally assembled and is not due to them being worn.  In fact the buckles really look like they were never used.
A very nice pair of large, fancy, finely beaded French Edwardian shoe buckles.

Beautiful Antique French Large Multi Color Beaded & Cut Steel Shoe Buckles

$ 95.00