Paste Gem Buckle Appraisal

Victorian Revival Gilt Brass Sash Buckle with Amethyst Paste Gems

This is an ornate vintage sash buckle, likely dating from the late 19th-century Victorian era or the early 20th-century Aesthetic Movement. The piece is constructed from gilt brass, exhibiting a warm, dull gold patina consistent with its age. Its form is characterized by a symmetrical, multi-lobed quatrefoil silhouette with scalloped edges that suggest a fleur-de-lis influence. In the center sits a highly decorative raised scrolling filigree overlay, which hosts five bezel-set purple stones. The central stone is the largest, surrounded by four smaller stones arranged at the cardinal points. These stones appear to be amethyst-colored glass (paste) or possibly low-grade natural amethyst. The metal displays visible signs of age including surface oxidation, rubbing on high-relief areas, and accumulated dust within the crevices. The overall craftsmanship indicates a mass-produced but high-quality accessory typical of mid-to-high-end costume jewelry of the period. The back, though not fully visible, would have originally featured a bar or prong mechanism for securing a fabric sash or belt.