17th to 18th Century whatzits need help

[smokeythecat]

I found these two today about 20' from where the hammered silver coin was found. The white and cranberry item is paper thin glass. Anybody seen anything like that before. It was 3' underground in a trash pit.

The other item is a brass hinged cover to something. It looks to be complete. A box? What kind? The Deus found the cover 18 crazy inches down in the mud. It was on it's side. I was using a full sized shovel and kept going and going and going. It was a solid "81" but faint. It's not so faint anymore. Could have sworn it was one of the little 18th century tacks. Not! The motif is the sun on the, moon on the bottom and two arrows on the face of it. Great last dig of 2018.

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

Your brass item appears too have a "combination" of aligning three of the four figures to allow the catch to slide towards the hinge. Pretty cool.

 

[smokeythecat]

Charlie P NY you are correct. It may be functional again if I loosened it up...or totally destroyed it in the process. This motif was very popular mid 18th century. Some rich dude probably lived there.

I'd like to pin down the time frame for it.

 

[digging440yrs]

Looks like a clock on the right, the moon and compass on left. Maybe something that went to a sundial. Something like this --

 

[smokeythecat]

Thanks digging440years. I'll have to look around. I'm sure someone here has seen something like it before. That thing was DEEP. It had a lot of "gunk" on it, but a soft wire (brass) brush cleaned it up fast. Appears to be brass or copper, I"m not going to mess with it by scratching it. The design is correct, there was a bottom to it.

 

[smokeythecat]

I found this description that matches reasonably well: From an auction: "An English brass and copper combination locking tobacco box, first half 18th century, the dials cast as the sun, moon and two stars..."

The one I saw online was intact. I think it's the same kind of thing. A round copper locking box, to hold tobacco or something else. They sold it for 2,300 Pounds Sterling which is HUGE.

 

[tamrock]

That's quite a delightful looking find.

 

[smokeythecat]

I mayest have to havest it restored and start smoking! (Just kidding.) Probably one of my best finds EVER! Even beats a Confederate buckle or a gold coin due to the rarity. And it was deep. And a miracle I didn't ding it with the shovel.

 

[smokeythecat]

I FOUND IT!

 

[smokeythecat]

Now I'm excited! What a way to finish the year! Now I have to find a non dug one to get for my collection (but probably can't afford one.)

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Very, very nice. And cool. I've seen "Chinese Puzzle Box" cigar humidors. Got to keep the tobacco out of prying little hands . . . and the staff. ;-)

 

[smokeythecat]

Thanks. Apparently these things are rare.

 

[Colonial78]

Great Find !

 

[tamrock]

I FOUND IT! View attachment 1665621

This one looks like faux snuff or tobacco box only made to look like the real deal one you found. Yours was made by a skilled craftsman of the time and was no doubt a status symbol to flash in front of others in those times it was made.

 

[smokeythecat]

Yes, I agree Tamrock. This is a stick it in your face item, the working parts on mine would still move if I sit it in WD-40 for 3 or 4 days. There was some foreign material sticking all over it and the copper/brass is nearly perfect with that one little tear. This is probably the best pre Rev War relic I have ever dug. Maybe the colonial version of an Aston Martin.

 

[tamrock]

Yes, I agree Tamrock. This is a stick it in your face item, the working parts on mine would still move if I sit it in WD-40 for 3 or 4 days. There was some foreign material sticking all over it and the copper/brass is nearly perfect with that one little tear. This is probably the best pre Rev War relic I have ever dug. Maybe the colonial version of an Aston Martin.

Or a real Rolex compared to a Foolex It's a pretty awesome early American discovery and who knows maybe the only one of a few in existence left to study.

 

[smokeythecat]

I saw three similar from auctions in the UK. They were expensive. Of course they were non dug. This one could be restored with a box put on the bottom, but I think a glass case will suffice.

I have never seen a dug one. Another T-netter here found a colonial sundial last summer I think it was, that was outstanding! These things are generally never found.

 

[Rookster]

I'm impressed Smokey. That's a cool find.

 

[tamrock]

I saw three similar from auctions in the UK. They were expensive. Of course they were non dug. This one could be restored with a box put on the bottom, bu I think a glass case will suffice.

I have never seen a dug one. Another T-netter here found a colonial sundial last summer I think it was, that was outstanding! These things are generally never found.

Yeah I remember that sundial. Always fun to see what you guys find back east. Sure beats watching all those phony baloney treasure shows they offer these days. Stuff on treasurenet is for real or some of it is. Some stories told here I have my doubt's on, but we're not allowed to call foul on anyone, because that's not nice. I guess that the way it is these days. Everyone's entitled to an A. Even me

 

[Hawks88]

Incredible find. Congrats