Antique jewelry glossary

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Belt furniture

The parts of a belt that are used to help its functioning. They can be simple or highly ornamented.

• belt buckle:
  a catch device for fastening the two loose ends of a belt or strap used on a belt or on any other object employing straps; it is attached to one end and usually has the form of a linklike frame having a movable tongue that goes through a hole in the other end of the belt; there are many variatons and systems of buckle closings; the buckle symbolically represents protection and self-defense
• belt hook:
  a system of closing a belt by means of a hook
• belt clasp:
  a device for closing and holding a belt
• belt catch:
  any other holding systems for a belt
• belt guard:
  a loop through which a belt end passes to keep it from flapping
• belt mordant:
  a metal plate or chape at the tip end of a belt opposite the buckle, sometimes ornamented and jeweled
• belt tongue:
  an ornamental end of the part of the belt opposite from the buckle, meant to prevent its wearing out