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Horse Brasses
The hard-working horses of England, whether plow- or cart-pullers, have often carried the fortunes of the country on their strong backs. In return, they have been decorated for centuries with small medals called horse brasses, which are now highly collectible.
Historically, horse brasses have been made for a specific civic occasion—a parade, anniversary, or coronation—to hang from a horse’s leather harness or straps. Experts estimate there are now nearly 5,000 designs. They’re usually circular, under 4 inches in diameter, with an internal geometric design (star, snowflake, crescent) or a small symbol (anchor, swan, lion, cross). Most are made of inexpensive brass; vintage pieces will show the filed-off remains of two telltale nubs on the back resulting from the casting process. (Some were stamped out of sheet metal, although this technique died out just before World War II.) Rarer examples include brasses with bells in the center (called bell brasses), ceramic centers, miniatures, and those made as very special commissions, such as a medal for royal horses. Collectors also look for examples decorated with colored wax or enamel.
The vast majority of cast-made brasses found today were made since the late 19th century. They are most plentiful in England but are also available in the United States, having been brought back by tourists from states active in horse-related sports, such as Kentucky, Florida, and California. There are few if any American-made brasses, but some were manufactured in Canada.
Historically, horse brasses have been made for a specific civic occasion—a parade, anniversary, or coronation—to hang from a horse’s leather harness or straps. Experts estimate there are now nearly 5,000 designs. They’re usually circular, under 4 inches in diameter, with an internal geometric design (star, snowflake, crescent) or a small symbol (anchor, swan, lion, cross). Most are made of inexpensive brass; vintage pieces will show the filed-off remains of two telltale nubs on the back resulting from the casting process. (Some were stamped out of sheet metal, although this technique died out just before World War II.) Rarer examples include brasses with bells in the center (called bell brasses), ceramic centers, miniatures, and those made as very special commissions, such as a medal for royal horses. Collectors also look for examples decorated with colored wax or enamel.
The vast majority of cast-made brasses found today were made since the late 19th century. They are most plentiful in England but are also available in the United States, having been brought back by tourists from states active in horse-related sports, such as Kentucky, Florida, and California. There are few if any American-made brasses, but some were manufactured in Canada.
Latest page update: made by kjacobso
, Jun 19 2007, 11:40 AM EDT
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