Belt buckle

16th century

Not on view

The snake-shaped hook at the left of this buckle would have engaged with a nearly identical one at the other end of the belt, possibly with the aid of a short chain-linked element. The intricate pierced openwork on this belt buckle demonstrates how a discerning patron would ensure his rank was reflected in each and every detail of his stylish costume. The number inscribed in ink on the back is evidence that this buckle was once in the Andrássy Treasury.

Literature
European Silver. Sale cat., Sotheby’s, Geneva, May 13, 1986, p. 35, no. 94.
Judit H. Kolba. Hungarian Silver: The Nicolas M. Salgo Collection. London, 1996, p. 25, no. 3.

[Wolfram Koeppe 2015]

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Belt buckle
Date: 16th century
Culture: Hungarian
Medium: Silver, partly gilded, pearls, rubies
Dimensions: Overall: 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Silver
Credit Line: Gift of The Salgo Trust for Education, New York, in memory of Nicolas M. Salgo, 2010
Object Number: 2010.110.1
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Chalice à soleil, Gilded silver, French, Paris — Chalice à soleil
French, Paris
1532–33

Cup with cover, Hans van Amsterdam, Gilded silver, coconut shell, Dutch, 's-Hertogenbosch — Cup with cover
Hans van Amsterdam
1533/34

Processional cross, Partly gilt silver, niello, and copper with traces of gilding, over wood, Italian, Florence — Processional cross
Italian, Florence
ca. 1460–80

The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Joachim, Diego de Pesquera Spanish, Wood, painted and gilt, Spanish, Granada — The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Joachim
Diego de Pesquera
1567–68

Ewer from Burghley House, Lincolnshire, Hard-paste porcelain, gilded silver, British, London mounts and Chinese porcelain — Ewer from Burghley House, Lincolnshire
British, London mounts and Chinese porcelain
Chinese porcelain 1573– ca. 1585, British mounts ca. 1585

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.