15th century AD. A buckle with 'curved' rectangular frame, raised at the centre, creating a roof-like profile; two rectangular openwork cells flanking a triangular-section bar; seven semi-circular rabbets with lateral and transverse grooves to each along the longer sides of the frame, two slender rods held in grooves in the knops running parallel along the length of both longer sides; scalloped undersides to the shorter ends; rich, deep green/brown patina. Cf. Whitehead, R., Buckles 1250-1800, Essex, 1996, item 476.24 grams, 40mm (1 1/2"). Property of a West Essex gentleman; formerly in a 1980s private collection. The use of this type of buckle is not known for certain, but it seems likely that it developed for a specialised use, most likely in an armorial context. [No Reserve]