PATENT (SPRING RELEASE) pair of George III Regency Gold-on- Sterling Shoe Buckles

PATENT (SPRING RELEASE) pair of George III Regency Gold-on- Sterling Shoe Buckles, London, 1798-99, based on ELEY'S PATENT*; beaded design
Maker mark : “ I . T “ in star-burst
Hallmarked for sterling, London, with date mark and maker mark. Stamped on back of the iron chapes: “RIGHT PATENT” & “LEFT PATENT”
Size : 2-1/2” x 1-3/4” each Gross wt : 2 oz
Condition : Retaining close to 100% of original mercury gilding; iron parts with typical mild corrosion, all original working parts – pressing the notched button on each opens the spring mechanism – one spring less vigorous than the other
ELEY'S PATENT buckle chape of 1784
“Eley...a buckle-smith and silversmith of Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell Green, London...In his patent the bridge was covered by a steel box hinged at one end to the side of the frame and at the other end controlled by a press-stud. In this way the frame could be raised out of the way of the buckle's working parts...while the straps were buckled, then pressed securely back into place....Eley licensed his patents to others. Some were stamped 'LEFT' & 'RIGHT' as well as 'PATENT' so that pairs were kept intact” -- Hughes, Bernard & Therle. Georgian Shoe Buckles. 1972, Greater London Council, London.
# 2408 b ............................... pair $ 650.