Is horse brass valuable?

Horse brasses are still used today, and have also become popular as decorative items. Apart from the exceptionally rare brasses, fine examples can be still bought relatively cheaply and the diverse nature make them an ideal collectible.

How can you tell if horse brass is real?

All the earliest known horse brasses are hand made from sheet or latten brass. They were cut out using hand tools and were often hammered into shape. One of the easiest ways of recognising a handmade brass is by the hammer marks on the back. They are, however, very rare and prized by collectors.

What was horse brass used for?

horse brass, decorative metal plaque fitted to the martingale, a set of straps attached to saddle and bridle that serve to steady a horse’s head or check its upward movement. The use of these ornaments is of considerable antiquity, but most English horse brass dates from after 1830.

How old are horse brasses?

Stamped brasses on heavy horse harness appeared on the scene around 1880, with a small number occurring perhaps a decade or so earlier, and it is highly likely that the process developed from one that was already established in the manufacture of carriage harness trappings and military insignia.

What are horse decorations called?

A caparison is a cloth covering laid over a horse or other animal for protection and decoration. In modern times, they are used mainly in parades and for historical reenactments. A similar term is horse-trapper. The word is derived from the Latin caparo, meaning a cape.

What do horse brasses mean?

A horse brass is a brass plaque used for the decoration of horse harness gear, especially for shire and parade horses. They became especially popular in England from the mid-19th century until their general decline alongside the use of the draft horse, and remain a collectors item today.

What are horse medallions?

Horse brass medallions were believed to protect the horses. Vital for work, transportation and war, horses were possessions of value. Early motifs were inspired by ancient beliefs and superstitions that would ensure the health and safety of the equine asset.

Why do pubs have horse brass?

What is the history of horse brasses?

How do you restore an old leather horse harness?

Rub a lanolin-based leather conditioner into the harness with a dry rag while the leather is still slightly damp. Rub a little extra conditioner on cracked areas to help them regain suppleness. Continue adding conditioner and rubbing it into the harness leather with a circular motion until the leather begins to shine.

When was the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Brass made?

Due to the untimely death of her beloved Prince Albert in in 1861, no brasses (arguably) were produced to celebrate her Silver Jubilee in 1862, but by the time of her Golden Jubilee in 1887, the Bristol, Birmingham and Walsall manufacturers were ready to take on the challenge of producing a range of brasses to help horsemen celebrate the event.

What is a royalty brass harness?

R.J. Bradshaw. During the Horse Brass era many different types of brasses adorned the decorated harness and ranking high amongst those most sought-after by modern collectors, are ones that are refered to as “Royalty” brasses.

Where can I find information on royalty brass?

Details of the most recent publication, Royalty Brasses can be seen on the link entitled, Trade Items, and is an excellent volume for the beginner or indeed the veteran collector with photographs of close to three-hundred types. The first royalty brasses are still a matter for contention as is the early beginnings of horse brasses themselves.

Why Walsall for the Victorian Jubilees?

By the time of the later Victorian Jubilees the Queen had emerged from her prolonged period of mourning to a nation ready to celebrate, and the Walsall manufacturers rose admirably to meet the challenge of producing the many different designs we see in collections today.