Large bronze concave button with lion... looking for ID

[Iron Buzz]

I dug this at an old homstead site that didn't seem to have anything more recent than maybe the 1870s (it also turned up a Civil War belt buckle PLUS a box plate! Unfortunately, it was my buddy that found those)

It is 1" in diameter, appears to be aged bronze. Not much more to say other than to post the photos.

 

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[pepperj]

I dug this at an old homstead site that didn't seem to have anything more recent than maybe the 1870s (it also turned up a Civil War belt buckle PLUS a box plate! Unfortunately, it was my buddy that found those)

It is 1" in diameter, appears to be aged bronze. Not much more to say other than to post the photos.

View attachment 2115565View attachment 2115566View attachment 2115567

I would say it was a seal that you found.
Either way it's a beautiful recovery.
Congrats 👏

 

[Iron Buzz]

I would say it was a seal that you found.
Either way it's a beautiful recovery.
Congrats 👏

You are the 3rd person to suggest that. I guess its time for me to take it to heart. But I was/am skeptical because it seems it would take a lot more wax than usual to fill that large cup enough to reach the engraved lion. Also, that the thing on the back looks like a button loop. How would that have been used for a wax stamp?

 

[pepperj]

You are the 3rd person to suggest that. I guess its time for me to take it to heart. But I was/am skeptical because it seems it would take a lot more wax than usual to fill that large cup enough to reach the engraved lion. Also, that the thing on the back looks like a button loop. How would that have been used for a wax stamp?

It could of had a wooden handle that rotted away. The hole was for a pin to secure it.
Or it was a small suspension loop.
Just throwing out thoughts here.

 

[oldmxrat]

Well, whatever it is, it's mighty cool, congrats!

 

[tamrock]

Really interesting. I'm thinking it's pre-civil war, but that's just a thought. I can't say if it is a button up or had some other purpose.

 

[Iron Buzz]

I have learned that the image on the button is Norwegian. It is a crowned lion carrying St Olaf's axe.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Cool, whatever it is. Congratulations.

 

[Iron Buzz]

Really interesting. I'm thinking it's pre-civil war, but that's just a thought. I can't say if it is a button up or had some other purpose.

I can't imagine what else that shank could have been used for.

Several people have suggested that it may have been a wax seal stamp but I disagree. One reason is because of that shank... every seal stamp I've seen except for a few one piece ones have a threaded shaft to screw into a wooden handle. For another reason, every one I see online is essentially flat except for the design itself. And thirdly, I actually tried it with some sealing wax I had on hand... and it is impossible to lay enough wax down for it to ever actually reach the design portion. The wax simply spreads out instead of building up.

 

[Fredneck]

So crude, that button must be damn near ancient. I like it !!

 

[Iron Buzz]

So crude, that button must be damn near ancient. I like it !!

It definitely appears to be hand engraved, doesn't it?

 

[BigWaveDave]

This is a fascinating quandary. At first glance, I’m like oh yeah that’s a wax seal. But your 3 points are compelling enough to say oh no it’s not. But I’m not feeling it when it comes to being a button. It just doesn’t “look” like a button. Maybe it’s something else…. Perhaps a good effort of a forgery. A wax seal was needed to confirm commerce or a banking note, but how to get one? Make one! Repurpose a button, and voila! I don’t know Iron Buzz, I’ll follow this, I too would like to see this ID’d for you.
Best
BWD