The Eye of the Tiger

[JD's Variety Channel]

I found this today and am not exactly sure what it is. It's looks similar to an antique bridle rosette from the mid 1900's, but usually they're equestrian themed. So I'm not sure. Any ideas? The design in the middle is deteriorating, and I'm not sure what it's made out of. But it looks like an early hologram, when you move it around in the light it creates an illusion like it's getting bigger, and there are definitely multiple layers to create this effect. I found an early holographic ring once with multiple phases of someone kicking a football, and if I remember correctly, it dated to around the early 1960's.
Thanks for the help!

 

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[ANTIQUARIAN]

I see a 'Tiger' pictured here.
I'm thinking it's decoration from a kids bicycle or something along those lines.

Dave

 

[Hawks88]

Nice find. Congrats. I’m guessing it might be the top piece a a decorative bell from a bicycle.

 

[creskol]

I feel certain that it is a tin back horse bridle rosette.

 

[firemanphob]

Yes, horse bridle rosette

 

[nagant]

reminds me of a coaster or "slide" on furniture legs.

 

[devldog]

I see a 'Tiger' pictured here.
I'm thinking it's decoration from a kids bicycle or something along those lines.

Dave
I see the Tiger too. Cool find.

 

[sjvalleyhunter]

Creskol nailed it.

 

[Plug N Play]

PIMP YOUR RIDE

(Reproductions are always a possibility...)

"Though other companies (such as the Perforated Pad Company of Woonsocket, R.I.) produced bridle rosettes, the Pfleugers and their Enterprise Manufacturing Company led the way."

The late 1800's are known as the Gilded Age.
Following the Civil War, businesses scrambled to convert heavy war production into civilian production.
The era is also known as the 2nd Industrial Revolution.

Horses were "everything".
Freight wagons lined the city streets, horse and buggy for those that could afford one, horse and wagon for the farms and ranches.

If you wanted to "keep up", and pimp your ride ... rosettes became one easy way to participate and express your individuality.
The Enterprise Company was in the forefront ... factory made "domed, bridle rosettes" took an 1800's novelty and turned them into a common, available, affordable accessory of the masses.

"As industrialized manufacturing flourished in the 1800’s, bridle rosettes were created with glass domes enclosing hand-painted artwork, dye cuts, pictures and photographs."

The Gilded Age, as horses were concerned, thrived ... until 1909.

If you wanted to pick up your gal for an evening at the theater or picnic away from the crowd, you'd polish up the rosettes, (pimp your ride) and she'd jump in the buggy or hop on the back of the horse.

Starting in 1909, and expanding exponentially, until 1919 ... the crank became the "go to" accessory.
Buggy owners watched ... as others "turned the crank".

The equivalent of 20 horses was produced ... you and your passengers sped off at 45 miles per hour.
Headlights to guide your way, windshield to protect mi-lady's hair ... noisy enough to get lots of attention.

The bridle rosette couldn't compete with the radiator cap.
From 1909 until 1919, trucks rapidly replaced freight wagons, cars replaced buggies, and the horse became second class transportation.
In 1919, Ford began to replace the crank with the electric starter.

The rosette business peaked during the Gilded Age, and businesses slowly branched off into other in demand products.
Production of fire arms during the Civil War taught the factories how to produce items with small replaceable parts.
Cameras, (Kodak 1888), watches, (Waltham 1850), fishing rods and reels, (Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Company. 1896) ... and many, many other products went from cottage industries to mass produced industrial production.
With the popularity of the auto, the Enterprise Co. shifted from rosettes to fishing tackle and lures.

Eventually, the Shakespeare Co. bought them out.

Big names that still exist today.

This tiger rosette has the appearance of the older styles.
I'm guessing this could be 100 yrs. old.

But, as first stated, later reproductions are also a possibility.