Early Plastic Buckle - Strong Design - Art Nouveau to Art Deco Circa 1905 - 1920

This gorgeous antique buckle is in the Secessionist style and may be continental European, perhaps Austrian or German. I would estimate that it dates from the first quarter of the 20th Century, between 1905 and the 1920s. I am unable to identify the early plastic material as the decoration has been colourwashed, which eliminates all the 'safe' testing methods.  The design has been cut, sgraffito style, into the plastic so we have texture and subtle layers in it. The buckle has a base colour of amber yellow, with red/burgundy and a moss green colourway to the front and is plain burgundy to the reverse.  The decoration includes swirly fronds, hearts, peacock eye type designs and dots.  It is an extremely beautiful old buckle and would be wonderful on a belt or hat band.  In excellent condition the early plastic buckle measures 3.25 inches by 2.25 inches by 1/8th of an inch.  There is a double aperture, through which the ribbon, belt or hat band would thread.  The dimensions for these two spaces are 5cms by 3/4 of a cm.  Use this buckle for your vintage sewing project or add it to your collection of buckles and vintage jewellery.