Large antique Georgian sterling silver, black dot clear paste huge buckle brooch pin

Large antique Georgian (early 1800s) sterling silver buckle brooch with beautifully shaped paste stones. The back tests as silver though it is not stamped or hallmarked. The paste stones have been beautifully set with closed backs. Stones set like this are called 'black dot' paste as they have a tiny black dot "painted" on the very bottom underside of each stone. In setting the paste, often pitch or a similar sticky material was utilised to anchor the stone during setting.

Many listings of brooches like these say that these pieces were originally Georgian shoe buckles, originally kept in pairs. This piece fastens with a simple C hook clasp and pin which must have been added a little later when buckles went out of fashion - you can see where the buckle bar used to come across the centre at right angles to the current pin. I would wear this on the knot of a tie or scarf, or as a cloak pin to the side or even on the shoulder. The brooch is in very good vintage condition.