aother pretty recent find

PEles · Feb 6, 2011

aother pretty recent find

I found this piece recently in the South Carolina lowcountry along with a good many early colonial era flat buttons and things. I have heard the image on this rosette i has been called a mourning device. Several people have said these mourning pieces were made to honor the death of George Washington.A friend on here sent a pic to a noted archeologist and curator of a major museum in Philidelphia I believe, and he wrote back that he couldnt say they were made specifically for the death of Washington but anythings possible. This symbol is on many headstones from the 1700's so it could be that it was used a good bit for that back then. He did say he'd never seen a piece exactly like mine and that he was sure it was from the late 1700's an without a doubt it was very rare. It was probably made in England or France. Hope you enjoy the pic!

Woodland Detectors · Feb 6, 2011

Re: aother pretty recent find

That's beautiful! :icon_thumleft:

augusthog · Feb 6, 2011

Re: aother pretty recent find

That is a pretty cool find! :thumbsup:

umrgolf · Feb 6, 2011

Re: aother pretty recent find

Incredible piece, wow

CRUSADER · Feb 8, 2011

Re: another pretty recent find

Not that rare a find in the UK, but must be fairly scarce in the US. Its a furniture fitting or 'bolt hole cover' circa 1800. No connection to GW, its a common design on furniture of that period.

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=29520&cat=all

The design was inspired by the 'Classical' Roman (& Greek) pots/urns of Ancient times. These pieces (treasures) were brought home/collected/stolen from there rightful place eg. ruins (which the British Museum often encouraged :wink:

) These designs were then copied into their furniture after & during this 'Grand Tour' period - which saw wealthy 18th C Gentlemen harping back to the might of the Roman Empire/reflected in their breeding & appreciation for the 'fine arts' (bearing in mind that most only had the time to 'toil' & scratch a living from the soil, with little regard of the latest fashions copied from a begone age/far flown Civilisation).

Similar design but different function:
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=26644

Depends on the guys experience, but the problem asking an archaeologist which I have worked with many, (some with 30+ years experience) about metal finds is that they have very limited exposure to them (they will openly admit it & often call upon numerous 'experts' because for the most part they are more than qualified to interpret the stains in the soil or changes in the Geographical makeup of our land (This is an over simplified view as we both benefit greatly from a shared partnership & a love for preserving history for future study/reflection). 50% or more of what I find is rare to them as they have never seen/dug them. The best person to ask is always a seasoned Metal Detectorist, as your get a much better clue as to what you have.
Now with the age of the www. all you need to do is ask the great folks on Tnet. 8)

steelheadwill · Feb 8, 2011

Re: aother pretty recent find

Pretty all right :thumbsup:

Nice find in great condition :hello2:

SkyPirate · Feb 8, 2011

Re: aother pretty recent find

very nice!

CRUSADER · Feb 8, 2011

Re: another pretty recent find

Just to clarify, the piece missing at the top was the loop which attached it to the furniture & often was able to swivel (to allow access to the bolt/screw underneath - a good way to decorate/over embellish an unsightly part of its construction). The fact its broken may explain why it was chucked. However, like most fittings of the time these may have been ripped off/removed to make way for the latest 'tastes' in fitments. Good furniture was kept in the family for often hundreds of years but were altered for the latest fashion. When looking at these, you can't discount the possibility of a 'key hole cover' on a set of drawers. :wink: