Collection Highlights
Architect's Sign
ca. 1837
1953.197
Wood
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Belt and buckle
Object name
Belt and buckle
Date
ca. 1934
Medium
Silver, leather
Dimensions
Part (belt): 34 x 1 in. (86.4 x 2.5 cm)
Part (buckle): 1 1/4 x 2 in. (3.2 x 5.1 cm)
Description
Silver belt buckle with black leather belt; open rectangular buckle has cut-out lettter "O" on top of "M" on left side and pivoting tongue on right side; leather belt has two snaps to hold buckle in place and is punched with five holes.
Credit Line
Gift of Martha Heinemann
Object Number
2001.34ab
Marks
impressed: on back of button: "LEONORE DOSKOW/HANDMADE STERLING"
Gallery Label
This belt and buckle, featuring the initials "O M," were made around 1934 for New York gangster Owen Vincent (Owney) Madden (1892-1965). Madden, a notorious racketeer, was born in the slums of Liverpool, came to New York City when he was 11, and grew up in Hell's Kitchen. During his heyday, Madden owned nightclubs (including the Cotton Club), prizefighters, hotels, slot machines, lottery games and operated a coal company and a laundry in Brooklyn. The donor was a personal friend of Madden's.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
