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ID #SA1041583
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£1,750
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Very Rare Solid Silver Gilt Napoleonic Imperial Guard Waist Belt Clasp C.1800
For sale by Original Retro
for sale €2,048     $2,223
£1,750

Original Retro

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2011
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Id #SA1041583
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Very Rare Solid Silver Gilt Napoleonic Imperial Guard Waist Belt Clasp C.1800

19th century
For Sale by Original Retro
Description

Very Rare Solid Silver Gilt Napoleonic Imperial Guard Waist Belt Clasp c.1800

This is a very rare belt buckle or waist clasp made of solid gilded silver from the Napoleonic era 1796-1821.

The buckle or clasp could have belonged to a General or Chief of Staff of the Napoleonic army.

The buckle or clasp is fully hallmarked twice on the back and once to the front, traces of gilding can be found on the buckle.

There is a field repair to the back (see photo)

The weight of the buckle or clasp is approx 200 gram

Physical Dimensions
Height
6cm (2.36")
Width
8.5cm (3.35")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Declaration

Original Retro has dated this Napoleonic Silver Gilt Clasp to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1041583
Dealers Notes

Valley Antique Centre

Hollins Mill

Suite 5 Unit 8

Pennine Industrial Park

Valley Road

Hebden Bridge

HX7 7BZ

(0044) 01422 887420 or (0044) 07780 687139

Openings Times:

Every day from 10 pm - 16.00 am

Description
Very Rare Solid Silver Gilt Napoleonic Imperial Guard Waist Belt Clasp c.1800
“
This is a very rare belt buckle or waist clasp made of solid gilded silver from the Napoleonic era 1796-1821.
Original Retro

The buckle or clasp could have belonged to a General or Chief of Staff of the Napoleonic army.

fig 1. A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths.
fig 1. Very Rare Solid Silver Gilt Napoleonic Imperial Guard Waist Belt Clasp C.1800

The buckle or clasp is fully hallmarked twice on the back and once to the front, traces of gilding can be found on the buckle.

There is a field repair to the back (see photo)

The weight of the buckle or clasp is approx 200 gram

Height
6cm (2.36")
Width
8.5cm (3.35")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Date of Manufacture

Original Retro has dated this Napoleonic Silver Gilt Clasp to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1041583
Original Retro
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2011
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Original Retro Profile Page

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A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths.
1 / 5
Archive I A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths.

Very Rare Solid Silver Gilt Napoleonic Imperial Guard Waist Belt Clasp C.1800

Archive II A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths. View II
Archive III A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths. View III
Archive IV A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths. View IV
Archive V A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Valley Antique Centre
Suite 5 Unit 8
Pennine Industrial Park
Valley Road
Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
HX7 7BZ
United Kingdom
Verified Since Jul 2011
Items For Sale 105
Items Sold 7
Original Retro
Verified Since Jul 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: Valley Antique Centre, Suite 5 Unit 8, Pennine Industrial Park, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7BZ, United Kingdom
Verified
Jul 2011
For Sale
105
Sold
7
A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths.
Very Rare Solid Silver Gilt Napoleonic Imperial Guard Waist Belt Clasp c.1800
Ref: SA1041583
A French Empire period solid silver gilt waist belt clasp featuring a raised relief of a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts, surrounded by laurel and oak wreaths.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBelt Buckles
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Empire
  • MaterialSilver, Silver Gilt
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsNapoleonic eagle, Imperial crown, Laurel wreath, Oak branches
  • SizeH 6 cm (2 in) x W 8.5 cm (3 in) x D 2 cm (1 in)

This solid silver gilt belt buckle originates from the French Empire period around 1800. The rectangular metallic clasp displays a slightly curved profile and measures 6 cm high, 8.5 cm wide and 2 cm deep in practical terms. Raised relief decoration across the front portrays a crowned Napoleonic eagle clutching thunderbolts, encircled by a detailed laurel wreath and oak branches. The metallic surface shows traces of original gilding alongside visible hallmarks. A small star motif embellishes the lower central border, while the outer edge is defined by raised stepped mouldings. Today, this piece serves as a decorative cabinet or bookshelf display item within a gentleman's library setting. The compact military artefact rests on flat surfaces as a collector's display piece, highlighting period craftsmanship through its intricate embossed motifs. The heavy construction weighs approximately 200 grams, with visible marks of age and historical handling across the metallic body.

Military insignia from the French First Empire (18041815) prominently features Roman-inspired iconography, including the Imperial eagle, thunderbolts, crowns, and laurel wreaths, reflecting the martial symbolism of Napoleon Bonapartes regime.

Senior military officer belt clasps were typically produced in cast brass, solid silver, or silver gilt (vermeil), often hand-chased to enhance relief details and finished with fire-gilding.

Authenticity is evaluated through period-correct French hallmark stamps, evidence of hand-tooling or chasing, characteristic wear on high-relief areas, and accurate heraldic proportions corresponding to official ordnance designs of the era.

Items of this scale are often mounted within custom fabric-lined shadow boxes, presented under glass display domes, or integrated into cabinet of curiosities arrangements within private libraries and studies.

Silver gilt surfaces should be dusted gently with a microfibre cloth and stored in low-humidity environments to prevent tarnish; liquid polishes and abrasive cleaners must be avoided to prevent removal of the gold layer.
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