POST MEDIEVAL BUCKLE

1575

An Post Medieval copper alloy snake buckle, dating AD 1575-1700. The buckle is S-shaped with a forked projection at one end, representing the snake's tongue. The buckle is decorated with a moulded scales and two pellets to form eyes. There is a series of ribs at the tail end, suggesting this may represent a rattlesnake.Although no exact parallel can be found for this example it is known that snake-style buckles were used from c. AD 1575 and into the 17th century, as they are seen in portaits. The first portrait to represent such a buckle is that of Robert Dudley, which was painted in AD 1575. It appears they connected the belt by hooking onto hooks or loops on either end of a strap, acting like a pin on traditional buckles.Dimensions: length: 37.19 mm; width: 21.39 mm; thickness: 3.12 mm; weight: 4.96g.