Decorative Copper Piece

cambria09

Bronze Member
Jun 10, 2012
1,838
3,840
Florida
Detector(s) used
Mine Lab Sovereign Elite, Mine Lab Etrac, Garrett ATMax
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hello All. I found this yesterday at a 1920's-ish home site. It is copper, 3.25-IN across, and has no engraving on it. My wife says it went around a door bell and my son says it's the backing to a drawer pull.

Whatever it is, I like it. Thanks for the view and any info. Good luck to all. C9
 

Attachments

  • O2 080214 Cu Whtzit Rev.jpg
    O2 080214 Cu Whtzit Rev.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 103
  • O2 080214 Cu Whtzit Obv.jpg
    O2 080214 Cu Whtzit Obv.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 119
It also could be a bezel that went under a lamp finial that held a ceramic of glass shade.
 

Upvote 0
Medallions were very popular during the Victorian era, as well as leaves and flowers. Since your medallion measures 3 1/4 inches, it is somewhat on the large size to be a back plate for furniture hardware. Also, since it doesn't have any attachment holes, it's probably not a back plate for a doorbell.

Judging by the size with the center hole, it looks to be a Victorian drapery tie-back medallion. Gaudy and flamboyant are two good words to describe the Victorian period. Below are some pics showing how medallions were used with Victorian draperies. The medallion in the first photo is a reproduction without the center hole. The gold/black drapery medallion appears to be cloth, but metal was also used.

Neat find :)
Breezie

Victorian TieBack1.jpg

Victorian TieBack2.jpg

Victorian TieBack3.jpg
 

Last edited:
Upvote 0
Hello Breezie. I had not considered a drapery medallion because I have never heard of them. Hopefully I will find something else on the site to tie this down.

Thanks for the interesting comments and pics. HH C9
 

Upvote 0
Hello Breezie. I had not considered a drapery medallion because I have never heard of them. Hopefully I will find something else on the site to tie this down.

Thanks for the interesting comments and pics. HH C9

You're welcome! Try Googling 'Victorian drapery tie back center hole,' then click Images. Most of the ones on the Internet are reproductions and are not made as well as the antique ones like yours. Also many of the modern ones are all one piece, and screw directly into the wall. The round/medallion type are generally 3 to 5 inches in diameter depending on the weight and size of the drapery. Below is a pic of a reproductions set with the center hole.
:)
Breezie

TieBackCenterHole.JPG
 

Upvote 0
Victorian ninja throwing star ( take it to the bank)
 

Upvote 0
Definitely ninja in origin..ha
 

Upvote 0

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top