This past June, I detect an old homestead site that archaeologists had excavated two years previous. Through research, I discovered this site dated from between 1840 – 70 when it apparently burned to the ground. This site is scheduled for residential development and the Province of Ontario mandates that an archaeological survey must be performed prior to any development. My friend’s family, who has farmed this land since 1969 first gave me permission to detect here last year. When this small piece of brass first popped up, I didn’t think much of it until I cleaned it in the field with my toothbrush. I instantly felt this had to be a bust of a young Queen Victoria.
Born Alexandrina Victoria on May 24, 1819, Queen Victoria’s father (King George III) died when she was just 8 months old. Despite a feisty temperament, Victoria was famously tiny in stature, measuring just 4’ 11” tall. Victoria ascended to the throne at age 18 on June 20, 1837, and she served until her death at the age of 81 on January 22, 1901. Under Victoria's reign, Great Britain experienced unprecedented expansion in industry, building railways, bridges, underground sewers and power distribution networks throughout much of the empire. Seven assassination attempts were made on Victoria's life between 1840 and 1882.
The piece is very black, I assume from being in the fire, so instead of polishing it, I choose to leave the face exactly the way I’d found it as a testament to its history. I decided to have a silver ring specially made and patinaed to accent the colour of the face. I decided to preserve this piece as a reminder of what a young Queen Victoria meant to a pre-Confederation Canada.
Thanks very much for looking,
Dave
Born Alexandrina Victoria on May 24, 1819, Queen Victoria’s father (King George III) died when she was just 8 months old. Despite a feisty temperament, Victoria was famously tiny in stature, measuring just 4’ 11” tall. Victoria ascended to the throne at age 18 on June 20, 1837, and she served until her death at the age of 81 on January 22, 1901. Under Victoria's reign, Great Britain experienced unprecedented expansion in industry, building railways, bridges, underground sewers and power distribution networks throughout much of the empire. Seven assassination attempts were made on Victoria's life between 1840 and 1882.
The piece is very black, I assume from being in the fire, so instead of polishing it, I choose to leave the face exactly the way I’d found it as a testament to its history. I decided to have a silver ring specially made and patinaed to accent the colour of the face. I decided to preserve this piece as a reminder of what a young Queen Victoria meant to a pre-Confederation Canada.
Thanks very much for looking,
Dave
