Amazing find at Old ghost town!

[IdahoDigg'r]

I went detecting at a town site that existed until about 1920.... I got a signal about 8 inches deep and dug up this beautiful (what I thought at the time was a) pocket watch cover! It appears to be Japanese and is made of copper or bronze. You can tell it is really old and hand tooled and has a lot of ornate detail. I would love any information anyone may be able to provide about this item! I wasn’t sure if it was a makeup compact cover or a pocket watch face cover. Unfortunately there was nothing else in the hole with it. Most items in that area dated from mid 1800s to early 1900s

 

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[A2coins]

Thats freakin cool I got nothing but just for where you found it and the time period and condition thats awesome, some more pics might help also . I would give up my HBO for a few months to hunt a ghost town lol......Tommy

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet

 

[Truth]

That’s a beautiful piece I love the color couple more pictures would be nice welcome to our addiction

 

[creskol]

That's a real beauty! I would like to see some more photos as well.

 

[pepperj]

It's a cover for something, but not a pocket watch. Never seen one with a loop on the left side as yours. If you have picture of the backside that would be great.
Great looking piece for sure, congrats.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Cool relic, congrats!

 

[CRUSADER]

Welcome to TNet.

The design fits the fashions of the 1880s. Not really sure what it went on but looks like some kind of small pot lid.

 

[Red-Coat]

Very nice. if it's a lid, I would think it's almost certainly from a rouge tin/compact. More likely, I think it's probably a brooch. Geisha brooches were very popular in the early 1900s and probably at their height of popularity in the 1920s. These are a little later... one with matching earrings and one which has been enamelled:

 

[Silvermonkey]

Congratulations. That's a very nice piece. Love all the detail. Welcome to T-Net, and please keep sharing your finds with us

 

[creskol]

With the apparent hook seen on the left side of your item, my guess is that it is 1/2 of an Asian themed sash buckle, similar in design to this one:

 

[Red-Coat]

With the apparent hook seen on the left side of your item, my guess is that it is 1/2 of an Asian themed sash buckle, similar in design to this one:

Good call @creskol.

 

[creskol]

A few more photos:

 

[Red-Coat]

I’m imagining a ‘soiled dove’ in a gold-rush town all gussied up for her customers in oriental silk and offering refreshments of various kinds. Probably that belle of the west ‘Tokyo Sal’.



Sal smiled and undid her kimono.
To the floor slipped her Japanese cloak.
She had teeth like the holy commandments.
Ten of ‘em… every one broke.

 

[creskol]

I’m imagining a ‘soiled dove’ in a gold-rush town all gussied up for her customers in oriental silk and offering refreshments of various kinds. Probably that belle of the west ‘Tokyo Sal’.

View attachment 1838176

Sal smiled and undid her kimono.
To the floor slipped her Japanese cloak.
She had teeth like the holy commandments.
Ten of ‘em… every one broke.

LMAO ..

 

[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[CRUSADER]

Very nice. if it's a lid, I would think it's almost certainly from a rouge tin/compact. More likely, I think it's probably a brooch. Geisha brooches were very popular in the early 1900s and probably at their height of popularity in the 1920s. These are a little later... one with matching earrings and one which has been enamelled:

View attachment 1838110 View attachment 1838111

https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Mikado
Actually interest in all things Japanese spiked in 1885-1890 with the very popular play - Mikado. Although it carried on until the 1920s.

 

[xfactor]

That is very very cool. Looks like it was fashioned in China. American foundries weren't particularly found of making ornaments for Chinese client's in the 1800's. My guess is that it was brought to the area which means it could be very very old.
In any event ...it's a outstanding find.
Congrats to you!

When you do find out the origin please up date us so we know it's history.
Thanks again for sharing.