Decorative Copper Piece

cambria09 · Aug 3, 2014

Hello All. I found this yesterday at a 1920's-ish home site. It is copper, 3.25-IN across, and has no engraving on it. My wife says it went around a door bell and my son says it's the backing to a drawer pull.

Whatever it is, I like it. Thanks for the view and any info. Good luck to all. C9

GatorBoy · Aug 3, 2014

I think your son is on the right track

cudamark · Aug 3, 2014

It also could be a bezel that went under a lamp finial that held a ceramic of glass shade.

Breezie · Aug 3, 2014

Medallions were very popular during the Victorian era, as well as leaves and flowers. Since your medallion measures 3 1/4 inches, it is somewhat on the large size to be a back plate for furniture hardware. Also, since it doesn't have any attachment holes, it's probably not a back plate for a doorbell.

Judging by the size with the center hole, it looks to be a Victorian drapery tie-back medallion. Gaudy and flamboyant are two good words to describe the Victorian period. Below are some pics showing how medallions were used with Victorian draperies. The medallion in the first photo is a reproduction without the center hole. The gold/black drapery medallion appears to be cloth, but metal was also used.

Neat find

Breezie

cambria09 · Aug 4, 2014

Hello Breezie. I had not considered a drapery medallion because I have never heard of them. Hopefully I will find something else on the site to tie this down.

Thanks for the interesting comments and pics. HH C9

Breezie · Aug 4, 2014

cambria09 said:
Hello Breezie. I had not considered a drapery medallion because I have never heard of them. Hopefully I will find something else on the site to tie this down.

Thanks for the interesting comments and pics. HH C9

You're welcome! Try Googling 'Victorian drapery tie back center hole,' then click Images. Most of the ones on the Internet are reproductions and are not made as well as the antique ones like yours. Also many of the modern ones are all one piece, and screw directly into the wall. The round/medallion type are generally 3 to 5 inches in diameter depending on the weight and size of the drapery. Below is a pic of a reproductions set with the center hole.

Breezie