Are old horse brasses worth anything?
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.
Are horse brasses collectible?
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.
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.
Are brasses worth anything?
Generally, scrap brass is sold to salvage yards or other metal recycling services, and they pay per pound. But, if your brass is valuable (think trumpets, horns, ornaments, and figurines), consider a pawn shop. You’ll get more bang for your buck than if you were to sell per pound.
What is the purpose of a horse brass?
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.
What do horse brasses meaning?
A horse brass is a decorative plaque that adorns a harness, especially for shire and parade horses. The brasses became very popular in England from the mid-19th century and remained so until the use of working horses waned with the arrival of the internal combustion engine.
Why are horse brasses in pubs?
Horse brasses were developed in the 17th century to decorate and identify draft horses and are very collectible. In England you see them decorating the beams in pubs or hung by the fireplace in homes.
What is the meaning of horse brasses?
What are horse decorations called?
caparison
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.
Why do pubs have horse brass?
“A Horse brass is a brass plaque used for the decoration of harness gear, especially for shire and parade horses. Used since antiquity, they became especially popular in England in the 1800s, and remain a collectors item today, they decorate the beams in pubs & hang by the fireplace of homes.
What’s the best price to buy horse brass?
You can be assured of the very best price paid and a very honest appraisal. We buy single brasses to whole collections. We price each individual brass for you when making our offer. We are always looking to add to our own collections.
When did they stop using brass on horses?
The use of horse brass peaked before World War I and waned with the rise of mechanization that replaced the use of the horse. Modern horses still don the brasses for show, but the medallions are more popular as decorative items. The ancient brasses are highly prized.
What kind of brass is used in scarves?
(Modern women have been known to drape themselves in horse brass — well, the horse brass motif can be found on some of the equestrian themed Hermes scarves.) Early horse brasses were entirely cast in molds, but later horse brasses were either cast or stamped from sheets of brass.
What kind of brasses can I sell for free?
Sun face, early sun and moon patterns, brewery, and all genuine original horse brasses and harness decorations. We will be delighted to hear from anyone with such brasses for sale. We also offer to value your horse brasses for you from images. This very popular service is completely free of charge.