Posted on February 3, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, History, History of the Western Belt Buckle, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment
Ciao Canada! We’re heading East for a brief lesson on the origins of belt buckles. According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, belt buckles were an indispensible part of the equipment worn by Roman and Greek warriors. Metalsmiths took great pride in ornamenting them with intricate designs.
An incredible specimen ca. 400 was found in the tomb of a mercenery soldier in Vermand, France. Though Romans considered those living outside the Empire to be barbarians, they often relied on these exiles and foreigners to protect the Empire’s borders. This particular soldier is suspected to have been very high-ranking; his set of belt buckle and three spear shaft mounts is gilded and richly inlaid with patterns of scrolls and rosettas.
The buckle, in particular, resembles many modern western belt buckles. Its careful metalwork and geometric design alongisde two eagle-like creatures, most likely Phoenixes, resting on the buckles clasp, mark it as an obvious precursor to the belt buckles that would later develop in the West.
