Figure 3: Buckles with close-set paste stones. Click on image to see larger version and to read more details.

Top: Large shoe buckles with close-set paste stones, sterling chape and tongue. Remarkable skill was required to set these stones so closely together so that virtually no trace of metal showed through. Bottom: Smaller buckles, possibly for a lady’s shoe. Close set paste stones of varying sizes on a solid sterling back, steel bridge, chape and tongue missing.