The stamped brass buckles are seen in various gauges of metal, from very thin and flimsy, to quite stout. I have stamped brass belt buckles from the 1850's, that are thin enough to bend with merely one's fingers.
The top left corner motif is still a mystery. I will take a guess, that possibly it is another hat or cap, in a different style and angle (considering there are two shoes at the bottom, two caps at the top seems logical).
Notice the close similarity with the details on these British Cricket Buckles, to the example posted by joesdigs.
The cap, shoes, and rim designs, are all nearly the same as we see in the mystery "buckle" item posted above.
CC Hunter
