✅ SOLVED Gilt, Engraved, Perforated Brass Relic

ANTIQUARIAN · Nov 13, 2016

I found this decorative piece of gold gilt brass at an old pioneer homestead east of Toronto and I have no idea what it might be from? :dontknow:

It was bent at the corners when I found it, but when I straightened it out that I noticed the gold and the engraving.
It measures 2.5" x 1.5", it has holes punched through it and engraving around the borders. :icon_scratch:

I have pictured the front and the reverse side.

Thanks very much for looking,
Dave

ARC · Nov 15, 2016

Missed this thread... per I do not sit "within" a specific forum... and just reload Active topics more than anything.

Per your msg... Anti...

This kinda looks like a trade piece upon first sight... but could have had been "woven" into or on something... per the holes...

Lemme ponder this one.

ARC.

ANTIQUARIAN · Nov 15, 2016

AARC said:
Missed this thread... per I do not sit "within" a specific forum... and just reload Active topics more than anything.

Per your msg... Anti...

This kinda looks like a trade piece upon first sight... but could have had been "woven" into or on something... per the holes...

Lemme ponder this one.

ARC.

Thank you very much for getting back to me on this ARC! :thumbsup:

I didn't think that this piece could be that much of a mystery, as it looks like it was originally attached to something and part of it has broken away. :icon_scratch:

Thanks again,
Dave

DCMatt · Nov 15, 2016

Looks like it was riveted on to something. I'm guessing its a horse decoration of some sort - like off a browband or blinders.

DCMatt

ANTIQUARIAN · Nov 16, 2016

DCMatt said:
Looks like it was riveted on to something. I'm guessing its a horse decoration of some sort - like off a browband or blinders.

DCMatt

Thanks very much for your thoughts here Matt, I appreciate you posting. :thumbsup:

Dave

DCMatt · Nov 16, 2016

Thought I'd give this another look. Very interesting piece. It does seem to be made for a purpose and not likely a horse decoration.

Where is it broken? I can't see any breaks in your pics.

This must have been a stunning piece when new (still pretty cool). Everything about it says 'wealth'.

Bruce R · Nov 16, 2016

Looks like part of a brooch, there's still remnants of the holders for the "stones" probably had glass jewels.

ANTIQUARIAN · Nov 19, 2016

DCMatt said:
Thought I'd give this another look. Very interesting piece. It does seem to be made for a purpose and not likely a horse decoration. Where is it broken? I can't see any breaks in your pics. This must have been a stunning piece when new (still pretty cool). Everything about it says 'wealth'.

Thanks very much for your interest and for your suggestions here Matt. :icon_thumright:

I'm pretty sure it was broken off at the bottom long ago, as the verdigris covers the bottom edge of the piece. I'm curious as to your reference to wealth. The majority of finds from this site were mid-late 19thc. Canadian Half Penny Tokens, to-date I've dug close to 15 coins and higher end quality buttons but not silver yet. At the bottom of this thread I'll include some pics of the coins and buttons I found here this past spring and fall.

Thanks again for your interest, a PM has been sent to you as well.
Dave

Bruce R said:
Looks like part of a brooch, there's still remnants of the holders for the "stones" probably had glass jewels.

I can see what you're talking about Bruce, but the piece is almost to thick and wide in it's construction to be a brooch. :icon_scratch:

I'm thinking possibly horse halter or saddle decoration in nature, possibly even military.
Here are some more of the finds I made at the site. :thumbsup:

Thanks again for your interest,
Dave

Muddyhandz · Nov 19, 2016

I have an extensive buckle collection and although I didn't spend a lot of time digging them out of their boxes, I did find two (less attractive examples) that will illustrate your find as being part of a two-piece Victorian buckle.

Similar shape and the same kind of engraving.

I would say that you have a complete half of a two-piece buckle but your attachments on the back are broken off.

Nice find!

ANTIQUARIAN · Nov 19, 2016

Muddyhandz said:
I have an extensive buckle collection and although I didn't spend a lot of time digging them out of their boxes, I did find two (less attractive examples) that will illustrate your find as being part of a two-piece Victorian buckle.
Similar shape and the same kind of engraving.
I would say that you have a complete half of a two-piece buckle but your attachments on the back are broken off.

Nice find!

Thank you so much for the I.D. on this MH! :occasion14: