Stock Buckle 1745 - 1775

This silver stock buckle was made by Daniel Dupuy sometime in the 18th century. As the name suggests, this buckle would have fastened the stiff, high collar fashionable at the time. Dupuy was a silversmith, part of a network of artisans whose skills shaped the material world of early America. These weren't mass-produced goods; each buckle was individually crafted, reflecting the maker's skill and artistry. Notice the faceted texture around the edge, catching the light, and the row of spheres that sit above. The buckle shows the silversmith's mastery, achieved through years of apprenticeship and practice. The buckle’s small scale belies the labor and expertise required to make it. Dupuy's work reminds us that even everyday objects carry the imprint of human skill, and the social context of their making. Appreciating this history challenges our conventional ideas about what deserves our attention in a museum.