OK boys and girls.....gonna test your knowledge (pics added here)

millennium

on a little item I found...I am including a link so you can see it..I posted on another forum...Please feel free to let me know what you think....I certainly don't know..



I found this on our local ballast islands. We were sifting for clay pipes and coins. We found a spot that had pipes that date back to 1580-1620 and this little item was found. It was coated in a layer of rust, that would actually just flake off...and when I got home with it, I cleaned it and found it was actually gold gilt. I have tried in vain to find anything on it anywhere....what do you guys think?

The ends are leaf clusters that surround the little gold gilt balls that just bounce around inside of them...


Little item found on a ballast island













One of the little balls that are inside the oak leaves

BentFork

Baby rattle.

lordmarcovan

Five red X'es.

2bits

It looks like a fancy collar clasp.

for the high collar dresses ,,possibly victorian ?

but then again ,,it may only be part of an Item and it could be part of a coin purse or clutch bag.

ricko

Five red X's... )-: Cheers, RickO

shudson

Looks like some sort of handle to me... for what though, is the question.

grip

You think the balls were used for trade?

Al

millennium

<< <i> You think the balls were used for trade? >>



I wouldn't think so....they are small...b-b size...And ornate......Some have offered a cloak clasp.....But I don't see how it would work...

crispy

<< <i>

<< <i> You think the balls were used for trade? >>



I wouldn't think so....they are small...b-b size...And ornate......Some have offered a cloak clasp.....But I don't see how it would work... >>



Too small for a coat clasp, maybe a collar clasp for a shirt like twobits suggested. How about ornate little jangelies for ladies shoes? Or possibly something for a pet's collar that would enable you to hear them moving about?

millennium

They don't make any noise......the gold/copper is too quiet....I'm almost certain it is a clasp of some type...just not sure what kind.

Jamericon

Could have been part of a broach pin.

How long is it?

millennium

Not very long.....You can see the size reference compared to a cent...3" maybe??

guitarwes

Pretty neat item.

Looks like the "Little Shop of Horrors" plant. Maybe it was his tongue ring?

Where are these piles of ballasts? South End of St. Catherine's Island?

millennium

<< <i>Where are these piles of ballasts? South End of St. Catherine's Island? >>




You got it...that is exactly where this item came from...Evidently you are familiar with them..

ASUtodd

Its a shoe bell. It fits in the buckle or laces of shoes and jingles as you walk. My grandmother had a pair similar to that one except silver. They were not as ornamental but they look extremely close to what she had. Not sure why you would want them but she had them. I'll see if she still has them and I'll take a pic.
Todd

speer34

Millennium,

I don't have a clue as to what it is, but it sure looks nice. Nice pics also!!!

Rickc300

I agree with Todd on this one, I think it's a shoe bell/jangle... Cool pic of the 1980 penny though!

Rick

marym

I agree with others from the relic forum, that's a coat clasp! I dug around a little online and found others similar to the you found. Nice piece!

ASUtodd

Too small and appears to be too soft for a coat clasp. MaryM, post a pic of what you found if you can. I'm curious. Thanks!
Todd

millennium

It's really not soft......It takes quite a tug to bend it at all...Most of the ones on other forums are saying it's a CLOAK clasp...the kind that held at the very top.

crispy

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i> You think the balls were used for trade? >>



I wouldn't think so....they are small...b-b size...And ornate......Some have offered a cloak clasp.....But I don't see how it would work... >>



Too small for a coat clasp, maybe a collar clasp for a shirt like twobits suggested. How about ornate little jangelies for ladies shoes? Or possibly something for a pet's collar that would enable you to hear them moving about? >>




C'mon man I had it first!

marym

Todd, I have no idea how to post something from the internet onto this board. If you type in "antique coat clasp" you'll get a truckload of hits. Mary

guitarwes

<< <i>

<< <i>Where are these piles of ballasts? South End of St. Catherine's Island? >>




You got it...that is exactly where this item came from...Evidently you are familiar with them.. >>




Been fishing there. We put in at Kilkenny Marina and usually stay on the North end and Ocean side of St. Catherine's though.


wes