I’m trying to figure out what these things are. I came across them in my late mother-in-law’s stuff. They are about 2" long and are marked as sterling silver.
The square loops on the back make them look kind of like a set of buckles for belt on a dress, but there is no apparent way to fasten them to each other. Likewise, I can’t figure out how they would function as shoe clips or dress clips.
Anybody have any ideas?
I think they are buckles. I have seen a similar thing, and it was a buckle.
Maybe they were buckles for a purse or some sort of bag?
Used to hold a hank of hair that is separated from the rest on people with long hair.
Usually on the center line in the back.
Similar to this. ( Maybe )
Nonsense, the OP’s items clearly aren’t any kind of barrette or hair clip. For one thing, the holes in the metal were intended to permanently fasten it on to something like a belt.
My money’s on a buckle or belt/sash clasp, but I too can’t see how it was supposed to fasten. Maybe there was a third piece at one point that connected the two? Three-part buckles were sometimes a thing.
They could be vintage cape clasps or fasteners. If so, they would have been connected with a chain fastened permanently to one clasp and with a hook of some sort at the other end which would permit the cape to be closed or opened.
Yeah, I think this is the closest answer. Might have even been for unmentionables (stocking garter/corset or some such). The horizontal clasps almost certainly slid onto some sort of bar affixed to a garment. Not sure what the bottom ring would be for, though.
I swear I’ve seen just this sort of thing before. Maybe it will come to me in the morning.
My instant thought was that they are handles for a drawer. Maybe from a jewelry cabinet or similar high quality piece.
Second look says yes too - the bars on the second ones could be label holders - maybe from a tea caddy? - Darjeeling; Assam?
I think the mascaron design makes it pretty certain they are intended to be viewed in the vertical position, exactly as in the picture. This would rule out belt buckles/ cape clasps.
Buckles for suitcase straps is certainly a possibility. Or perhaps a fancy kind of girth buckles - though I wouldn’t want to ride with them, for fear of tearing my legs.
Personally, I would love to use them on my suspenders!
