Can You Help With Age And ID - Victorian Womens Buckle ???

[flinthunter]

Found 11 inches deep in an old park. I am thinking that it might be a woman's buckle of some sort from the Victorian era or possibly a bit earlier. I know that I have seen the swan in the rushes somewhere before but I cannot place it right now. Its brass (it shows a gold color where I scraped it with my digger). It measures 1 3/4 inches in diameter. On the back there are 2 small eyelets on one side and a larger hook on the other side. Can anyone help with age or ID? Thanks

[Breezie]

Flint, what a nice buckle! Congratulations I would agree that it is a ladies brass swan buckle that could have been on a belt or cloak closure. I think the era would be around 1860s/70s. Breezie

[Bigcypresshunter]

I agree very nice CW era cape pin closure. http://sgtriker.com/jewelry.htm

[CC Hunter]

That is indeed a Victorian cloak hook fastener. Most cloak fasteners of this type date from around the 1840's up to American Civil War period. The design on this particular one seems to match the style seen more on 1870's-1880's buttons and fancy belt buckles for ladies dresses from that period. My hunch is post-CW as well for this item.

The following photos show an example excavated from a circa 1850's site.

CC Hunter

[flinthunter]

Wow, you folks are good. If I ever find another piece like this I will now know what I have. Thank you very much for your time and trouble.