Posted 5 years ago
HalcyonDays
(11 items)
Found this at a thrift store about 10 years ago. I fell in love with its beauty, but don't have a clue what it is. There is a loose open container inside, but it cannot be removed because it is wider than the opening. It is exquisitely cast. There are two horse heads with riders on one side. Beautiful leaves and vines surround the rest of the jar. The riders (jockeys ?) actually look like children to me because their faces are so young-looking. The lid has a jockey/polo headgear finial. The surface is very dirty and grimy. It's all heavy metal, and underneath the grime is a very shiny gold surface all over. It looks like there has been water or some liquid contained inside. The bottom is embossed 'J.B. 819'. There are also numerous numbers handwritten on and scratched into the base bottom. It measures 7" high X 5.125" wide and weighs 2 lb. 14 oz. Any idea what it is? Thank you!
The men appear to be wearing the old French Adrian style helmets.
Indeed they do! Because of the horses' presence, it never occurred to me that this could be some type of WWI commemoration piece. But from what I read, the WWI French cavalry were issued this helmet, as well as the infantry and tank crews. Thank you for your keen eye! Now if I can just find out what it is and its history. Any other suggestions?
Getting closer... The bottom mark - J.B. 819 - indicates that it was made by the Jennings Brothers Manufacturing Co. (metal foundry), of Bridgeport CT, founded 1890 and went out of business in 1953. They specialized in ormolu gold in the nouveau style, among other fine metal art pieces. Now just need to figure out what it is... Please keep the ideas and suggestions coming! Thank you!
Does anyone out there think this could be a humidor? Specifically, a WWI commemorative humidor? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts...
Solved! It's a Jennings Brothers commemorative horse racing tobacco humidor! Thanks for the responses!