EPNS Double Buckle - Silver Plated with Horned Grotesque Figure Circa 1890 - 1900
Here is a remarkable Victorian two piece belt buckle traditionally known as a “nurses' buckle”. It has Art Nouveau period influence with its swirls and flowers but also has a strong link to the “gothic grotesque” with its oval portrait of a horned beast. Is this mythical creature a devil or demon or just an imp riding a winged creature? I cannot tell. This robust double buckle has a pierced and cast design with foliate decor, dots and scrolls with each half showing the aforementioned creature in its oval frame. It is in excellent condition. To the reverse it has a belt loop to each piece and a tongue part and connector loop for fastening. Intriguingly there are inscriptions and details pertaining to it. The Hallmarks on the tongue of the piece indicates it is made from silver plate shown by the capital letters E P N S for electro-plated nickel silver. There is also a mark that looks like a ghost and a crown mark and on each half the number 24 appears too. If only these lovely, historic, antique items could talk and tell us their secrets and their stories! Measuring approximately 3.5 inches by a tad under 2 inches, this interesting silver plated double buckle has a gentle curve to facilitate its use and would make a great fastener for a modern belt or even an edge to edge style cardigan or would rightly take its place in a collection of English Antique Buckles. I have not deep cleaned this buckle as I like the antique effect when a slight patina has built on an engraved design. If you wanted this silver plated buckle to shine “like new” it would be very easy to clean it up with silver cleaner or to buff it with a silver cloth.
JEWELLERY DETAILS
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Condition: Excellent
Style: Gothic Grotesque, Art Nouveau
Subject: Devil, demon, imp, mythical beast
Era: Antique, 19th Century, Victorian
Type: Belt Buckle - two part buckle - Nurses' Buckle
Material: EPNS Silver Plate
Colour: Silver