Iron Cross from a fence post??

KLGourley · Feb 12, 2011

On my grandmother's property which borders the old First Baptist Church, I dug up this old iron cross. It's definately broken at the bottom and fits in the palm of one's hand. My thought is that it may a decoration for the top of an old iron fench post, but my mother doesn't remember an iron fence of any kind way back when. :icon_scratch:

Any ideas?

diggummup · Feb 12, 2011

Probably from a fence post or gate but..... How old is the church and did it have a graveyard?.... Could be a small portion of an ornate cast iron grave marker.

taz42o · Feb 12, 2011

looks like a Shuriken.

KLGourley · Feb 12, 2011

The church was founded in 1912. But, there are no graveyards nearby on the church property itself. I am leaning towards it being from a fence or gate, but I can't seem to find a picture anywhere that resembles it. I've searched all over the surrounding area and can't seem to find anything else that mathces it or indicates there was ever a fence/gate. As taz42o posted, I did breifly entertain the idea that it might be a shuriken or similar object - but, again, I've been unable to find one that even remotely comes close to a match. The only thing I know for certain is that it is definately made of iron.

Noodle · Feb 12, 2011

I'd love to see it after electrolysis (which you can do in your own kitchen). Whatever it was once attached to, looks like it was a cross of some type. Right neighborhood. -Noodle

ANTIQUARIAN · Feb 12, 2011

As others have stated here already . . . It probably came off of a gate into the church yard or possibly off of some decoration that might have adorned the church at one time. This piece looks to date from the Edwardian Era from 1901 to 1910. :icon_scratch:

(Sorry, I live in Canada, I'm still British Loyalist at heart; my Father's English and Mom's Irish)

Dave

KLGourley · Feb 14, 2011

Antiquarian said:
It probably came off of a gate into the church yard or possibly off of some decoration that might have adorned the church at one time. This piece looks to date from the Edwardian Era from 1901 to 1910.

Well, the time frame is very close to the date that the original church was founded, so it sounds like a very reasonable guess. Now, I've put out some 'feelers' to see if anyone may have some very old pictures from back then that might help verify if there was indeed a gate/fence there, or anything else. Thanks, Dave.