Shoe Buckle 1767 - 1787

This pair of silver shoe buckles, crafted by American silversmith Zachariah Brigden between 1767 and 1787, are a prime example of the craftsmanship of the period. They feature a simple, elegant design with a rectangular frame accented by a beaded border. The buckles, measuring just over 2 inches in length, were likely used to fasten fashionable shoes worn by individuals of means during the late 18th century. These small, delicate objects, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offer a glimpse into the intricate details of everyday life in the colonial era.