Shoe buckle help please!

[Dilly Day]

I have just acquired these shoe buckles (at least I think that's what they are!) and would be grateful for any information about them. They are not solid metal but seem to be wood overlaid with a thin stamped metal - possibly tin? I can see the wood in small gaps where the metal has lifted. It is quite easy to push back into place. The pattern looks as though it is meant to resemble cut steel, possibly a cheaper option for those who couldn't afford the real thing?
They measure approximately 2.5 inches by just under 2 inches.
They seem quite old to me but I have no real idea of their age - could they be as old as Georgian? Or as late as 1920s?
Any information would be much appreciated.

 

[Jonathan]

They are Victorian - 1870s-90s when 'Colonial' or 'Puritan' styled pumps were popular. Georgian buckles have prongs and anchor to attach to latchets because they are functional, and 1920s buckles are not as artisinal looking - they are mass manufactured. This pair from the 1880s has similar buckles to what you have, just more ornate:

 

[lkranieri]

Georgian buckles have prongs and anchor to attach to latchets because they are functional,
View attachment 189225

So, Jonathan, how did the OP's buckles attach to the shoes? It seems something must have slid through the loop on the back, but it doesn't look like there are any straps on the red shoes in your photo. (and...did you see my reply to your question?)

 

[Jonathan]

The ones in this picture are sewn to a black fabric backing and then sewn to the shoe - the backing is usually the same size as the buckle, so it doesn't rub, catch, or wear on the stocking, and the metal bar that is on the underside of the buckle is attached to both the tongue or throat of the shoe to secure it in place, as well as to the backing. In this case the buckles are backed with black textile, but they are often backed with the same coloured material as the upper of the shoe, so the buckles look more functional than decorative.

 

[Dilly Day]

Thanks for your reply Jonathan. Those buckles are lovely and certainly a lot fancier than mine!

I have been trawling the Internet looking for buckles similar to mine and these are the closest I can find. I am now wondering if the punched pattern on mine was intended to imitate marcasite rather than cut steel? A lot of buckles I have seen have the bar across the narrower part of the buckle rather than the widest. I just cannot find any reference to tin covered wooden buckles like mine - they all seem to be solid metal.