A Re-purpose / Restoration

ANTIQUARIAN

Gold Member
Apr 24, 2010
12,841
27,384
Upper Canada 🇨🇦
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus, Lesche Piranha 35 Shovel & 'Garrett Carrot'
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
This past June, I detect an old homestead site that archaeologists had excavated two years previous. Through research, I discovered this site dated from between 1840 – 70 when it apparently burned to the ground. This site is scheduled for residential development and the Province of Ontario mandates that an archaeological survey must be performed prior to any development. My friend’s family, who has farmed this land since 1969 first gave me permission to detect here last year. When this small piece of brass first popped up, I didn’t think much of it until I cleaned it in the field with my toothbrush. I instantly felt this had to be a bust of a young Queen Victoria.

Born Alexandrina Victoria on May 24, 1819, Queen Victoria’s father (King George III) died when she was just 8 months old. Despite a feisty temperament, Victoria was famously tiny in stature, measuring just 4’ 11” tall. Victoria ascended to the throne at age 18 on June 20, 1837, and she served until her death at the age of 81 on January 22, 1901. Under Victoria's reign, Great Britain experienced unprecedented expansion in industry, building railways, bridges, underground sewers and power distribution networks throughout much of the empire. Seven assassination attempts were made on Victoria's life between 1840 and 1882.

The piece is very black, I assume from being in the fire, so instead of polishing it, I choose to leave the face exactly the way I’d found it as a testament to its history. I decided to have a silver ring specially made and patinaed to accent the colour of the face. I decided to preserve this piece as a reminder of what a young Queen Victoria meant to a pre-Confederation Canada.

Thanks very much for looking,
Dave
 

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OP
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ANTIQUARIAN

ANTIQUARIAN

Gold Member
Apr 24, 2010
12,841
27,384
Upper Canada 🇨🇦
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus, Lesche Piranha 35 Shovel & 'Garrett Carrot'
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Thank you to all of my friends who took the time to 'like' and 'comment' on my ring. :hello:

I hope everyone has a peaceful Christmas. :icon_santa:
 

OP
OP
ANTIQUARIAN

ANTIQUARIAN

Gold Member
Apr 24, 2010
12,841
27,384
Upper Canada 🇨🇦
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus, Lesche Piranha 35 Shovel & 'Garrett Carrot'
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
As a follow up to this post... a detecting friend here in Ontario, suggested this piece is likely a Victorian Wax Letter Seal. Thanks very much for the information and the pic Jay. :thumbsup:
 

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WannaDig3687

Gold Member
Jun 5, 2017
23,801
112,404
O-H-I-O
Detector(s) used
Garret ATMAX
Primary Interest:
Other
As a follow up to this post... a detecting friend here in Ontario, suggested this piece is likely a Victorian Wax Letter Seal. Thanks very much for the information and the pic Jay. :thumbsup:
And I didn't think it could get any cooler! Awesome! :hello2:
 

OP
OP
ANTIQUARIAN

ANTIQUARIAN

Gold Member
Apr 24, 2010
12,841
27,384
Upper Canada 🇨🇦
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus, Lesche Piranha 35 Shovel & 'Garrett Carrot'
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
And I didn't think it could get any cooler! Awesome! :hello2:
Thanks WD, it's amazing how many wax letter seals we find. Writing letters as a means of 'keeping in touch', is definitely part of our past now. :sadsmiley:

Best of luck to you on your detecting hunt today. :thumbsup:
 

cmthunder

Hero Member
Mar 20, 2013
839
2,272
Maryland
Detector(s) used
Minelab Xterra
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
This past June, I detect an old homestead site that archaeologists had excavated two years previous. Through research, I discovered this site dated from between 1840 – 70 when it apparently burned to the ground. This site is scheduled for residential development and the Province of Ontario mandates that an archaeological survey must be performed prior to any development. My friend’s family, who has farmed this land since 1969 first gave me permission to detect here last year. When this small piece of brass first popped up, I didn’t think much of it until I cleaned it in the field with my toothbrush. I instantly felt this had to be a bust of a young Queen Victoria.

Born Alexandrina Victoria on May 24, 1819, Queen Victoria’s father (King George III) died when she was just 8 months old. Despite a feisty temperament, Victoria was famously tiny in stature, measuring just 4’ 11” tall. Victoria ascended to the throne at age 18 on June 20, 1837, and she served until her death at the age of 81 on January 22, 1901. Under Victoria's reign, Great Britain experienced unprecedented expansion in industry, building railways, bridges, underground sewers and power distribution networks throughout much of the empire. Seven assassination attempts were made on Victoria's life between 1840 and 1882.

The piece is very black, I assume from being in the fire, so instead of polishing it, I choose to leave the face exactly the way I’d found it as a testament to its history. I decided to have a silver ring specially made and patinaed to accent the colour of the face. I decided to preserve this piece as a reminder of what a young Queen Victoria meant to a pre-Confederation Canada.

Thanks very much for looking,
Dave
Dave that’s an awesome ring and restoration!
 

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