Posted 10 years ago
GrammieMae
(2 items)
When I was in the Appomattox VA area over Thanksgiving, I went to a small Civil War museum/antique store. There was a box of dug up "artifacts" that I went through and this caught my eye. I have tubs and tubs full of vintage jewelry and was going to try to make this into a brooch, if possible. I also love history, especially the Civil War era, so am hoping someone can help me with this.
Does anyone 1) know what it was or was used for and 2) what does the image depict? I enhanced it to better see the image. I'm really interested in finding out what everything/symbols (?) in the image depict. There are many different things in such a small area. The darker photo is more what it actually looks like. It's 1-3/4". I'm not sure what type of metal it is. The actual image appears to have a dull sheen to it, perhaps some sort of 'covering' brushed on to protect it. Every fourth hole is an oval shape as opposed to the circular ones. There are pieces of bent metal by those oval holes, one of which is missing. They may have been bent to hold a backing.
I didn't really know what catagory(s) to put this so I chose Jewelry (Victorian) and Military (Civil War). Hope I can find out just what it might be!
THANK YOU!
I tried looking up several state seals, thinking that was what the center was, but without luck.
Interesting item-- I am not sure what it signifies.
I don't think that it is Civil War era-- whatever it is. Keep in mind that folks frequented these areas after the battle and many areas became training areas during later conflicts.
I am always reminded of the shotgun shell brass identified as "RARE Confederate, 10th Georgia Infantry" because it was marked "10 ga."
scott
Funny story Scott. It reminds me of a French St Etienne Arsenal bayonet for sale as a "Traceable Confederate Officer's Bayonet" I saw once. It was supposedly traceable because the spine was engraved "Lt Etienne"
I think you are on to something thinking this was post-civil war. It looks rather commemorative, so possibly a battlefield reunion button? That would explain the laurel and oak symbolism (Victory and Strength/Virtue). The Eagle and US flags make me think Union (Did the CSA use eagle& arrows?), but the other flag looks like the flag of Virginia.
Chris
I can't help thinking she's holding a beer glass in her left hand
Thank you for the comments, they brought some smiles :) I liked the "RARE Confederate, 10th Georgia Infantry", too funny! And in the other hand, I thought it looked like a bullhorn!
Yes, it could be post-Civil War era, maybe a reunion of some sort. It still has dirt on it so not sure if it was just lost and ended up covered in dirt or what. I've Googled and looked at so many sites and images, I'm about cross-eyed.
Any more suggestions would be welcomed :)
Thanks again ~