This cast copper alloy double loop oval buckle was discovered near Willinghurst Surrey, and dates to the 16th or 17th century. The frame has rounded ends, each decorated with a pointed knop featuring a central groove, while the reverse is flat. The surface retains evidence of tinning, a thin coating of tin that would have given the buckle a bright, silvery appearance when new.
Buckles of this type were widely used for fastening garments and accessories, serving both practical and decorative purposes. The use of tinning suggests an attempt to imitate the look of more expensive metals, allowing wearers of modest means to enjoy fashionable items.
Objects such as this are often overlooked, but they provide a valuable insight into everyday life in post medieval Surrey. They remind us that clothing and personal adornment were as important in the past as they are today, reflecting both status and style.
Although simple in form, this buckle connects us directly to the daily routines of people living in the countryside around Willinghurst over 400 years ago.
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