EMPIRE BELT BUCKLE - factory Early 19th century French gold tone buckle with Egyptian hieroglyphs circa 1820

Early 19th century Empire style gold tone lady's belt buckle with Egyptian symbols.

Bonaparte's travels to Egypt in 1789 renewed an interest in France, best expressed through architecture and decorative arts.
Fashion had been mostly influenced by Antiquity through Greek and Roman dress and hairstyles. But it is a little less common to find examples of Egypt's influence in say fashion accessories or jewelry. That is why this buckle is so special!

Among the hieroglyphs are an ankh, cobras, chicks, fishes, moons ans factory stars and other symbols might be taken from cosmology.
They are set within a decorative border and raie against a mat textured background.

The buckle measures 2" long by 1 1/4" wide and will take a 1" wide elastic band or fabric.

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