Who doesn’t love a good leather belt? I found this quality genuine leather belt with a solid brass buckle at an estate sale. The owner seemed to be a collector of both Western and Asian motifs. There were western-type clothes and many books about Asian art & cooking as well as Asian collectibles and silk purses/kimonos, etc. Since it was the final day of the sale, I was able to snag this belt for 50% off of $4.50! Can’t beat that!
Although the manufacturer is unknown, I do know it is made of quality materials. The buckle is stamped “Solid Brass” and has an etched design that appears feminine to me, so I presume it was a woman’s item. It is in great shape. The leather is nice and soft and worn. This is what I like about real leather, it becomes so soft over time and lasts forever. And brass, well there are brass statues that have lasted for eons! Best part is that it fits me and I still have “room to grow.” Haha!
Perusing Ebay for similar items, I’m guessing it could easily fetch $20 and up depending on demand. If you’re on the hunt for a good leather belt, consider what the buckle is made of and how easy it will be to replace, if it’s not a long-lasting material/finish. Look for a maker’s mark or stamp on the inside of the buckle. Leather is durable and will last a long time. Look at the inside of the belt strap and see if there’s a stamp indicating the material. Older items may not be stamped; however, leather is made up of fibers that don’t easily come apart. Run your nail across the inside and see if the little fibers come off. If they do, it’s probably not leather. Leather also has a distinctive smell so, go ahead and smell it! Follow the Antiques at Home Facebook page for a tip on how to tell if it’s real leather. I’ll be holding on to this one! What’s your favorite accessory?
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