✅ SOLVED Would like help identifying this cherub chain

[nicknies]

My Dad and I were searching the Ohio River near the Mound City Shipyard and Marine Ways at recent low water level. The shipyard was where three of the ironcalds were built during the Civil War and the area also had the largest civil war hospital in the western area. Also, the shipyard was where all of the northern vessels were repaired and many others built. This is just up stream from Cairo, Illinois where General Grant headquartered the early portion of the war. The area is rich in CW history. Don't mean to be giving a history lesson but just some info about the area and why we were searching the river at low water gag.

We found many interesting items but the pictured cherub chain was the most interesting. This forum is a wealth in knowledge and look forward to thoughts about what this is and its purpose. Cherubs, bows, grapes, vines obiviously of religious nature. It was found near the remains of old trunk, found brass latch from trunk. Now this has laid on the bottom of the river for 150+/- just waiting to be found. I will answer any questions or post closeup photos if that helps. The items are cast brass and link together to form a chain.

This my first post, we had no metal detector at the time, but family has lived on the Ohio River for 150 years and happily spent a lot of time along the river.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[ARC]

Some more pictures may help... close ups as well... backs of items... any marks and welds... connection areas front and back.

I must say this is interesting an I for one have never seen one before.

I don't think from initial observation that tis has been there 150 years... but we shall see hopefully.



Welcome To Tnet Btw.

 

[nicknies]

We are going to 16+ feet over flood stage March 2th, subject to change based on rain this weekend. Have water on three sides and several county roads closed now. I found the item during better river gages! I live less than 1/4 mile from the Ohio River and see it from our home. We are on a bluff though. One thing, when the water goes down it is a good time to look, things are exposed from bank erosion

Thanks for noticing and commenting.

 

[ARC]

No prob.

More pictures and any and all details will help... we have a great group of minds here and chances are your mystery item riddle may be solved.

Will await more pictures.

Sorry I deleted my question about your area being a flood zone etc. but it drove the thread "off track" of the piece.

I was just curious if this was a washed down river item etc.

Was hoping it deleted BEFORE you read it

 

[nicknies]

AARC: I mispoke saying 150+/- years having no proof to verify. I have attached photos showing reverse sides and linkage together to form the hangable chain it creates. Also, find photo of the trunk latch with the other item, assumed by me to be have come from the trunk found with the cherubs. There was evidence of some of the material the trunk was made of under and near the items. Closeup of the cherubs, vines, grapes etc are shown. With all due respect, this did not wash down stream. This area was extremely busy during the CW. There were so many soldiers die in the CW hospital, the Gov. created the Mound City National Cemetery to bury the dead. This cemetery has been active ever since to bury the service men and women who passed since that time. The Ohio River floods every year here and usually multiple times a year. I hope this helps and I agree with you, will get some good input here. Thanks

 

[nicknies]

Added photos to above post

 

[ARC]

Well now... isn't that interesting.

Very good new pics... well done.

This mark is familiar to me... and perhaps to some others here hopefully... just cant place yet...

This thing just got very cool IMO.

 

[IowaRelic]

What an incredible find. With a mark like that you will surely get a good solid ID. I really appreciate the “history lesson”. I have lived at the confluence of the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers at Iowa/Missouri/ Illinois my whole life. The town is crazy rich with history from pre history to civil war. (We had 7 hospitals, serving both sides). You inspire me to get in the rivers here. The Mississippi is tough because we have the largest dam on the river here and the river is a beast. But the Des Moines would be doable...

 

[nicknies]

IowaRelic, having lived literally right on the Ohio River and 8 miles above the confluence with the Mississippi I have spent many, many hours on them both. In 2002 about 1 mile south of our home had the pleasure of finding a flatboat the had been uncovered by the Ohio. Southern Illinois University was contacted and did a complete archaeological survey and write up of the flatboat. Able to date it to 1812 based on findings, really interesting project. They wouldn't let anyone remove anything, I covered it twice with weed barrier fabric and gravel, under their direction, however eventually it has washed away, pirce by piece.

Back to my find, would like to think the latch cover marking indicate crown-queen, V-victoria, R-reign, only because it matches what is on there. Again difficult to confine at least where I have looked. Did have the metal confirmed not gold, LOL.

Sure we will get some strong feelings on what it was used for though.

 

[Retired Sarge]

The VR equals Victoria Regina.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Wonder is the chain could be part of a priest's garb?

 

[IowaRelic]

I showed my wife the pics and she instantly thought it was part of an old trunk...

 

[ARC]

 

[nicknies]

Well, well.......what have we here, AARC? When I got up and looked at your post, I got a warm feeling of this is going to be very interesting. Am I seeing what I think I am?

 

[nicknies]

I was think along the same theme.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I've seen this touch mark before on Victorian period padlocks, I think this relic came from a chest or document box.
But I don't think it's related to the other sections of decorative cast brass 'cherub chain'.

Like the others guys, the brass 'cherub chain' looks like something I should recognize.
I am interested in hearing where ARC found his pic though.

Dave

 

[nicknies]

Antiquarian, I think the chain may have been in the trunk the locking latch was on. These items were within a 3-4 foot radius in shallow water with gravel bottom. The water was clear enough to see the items mentioned and material that resembled a trunk remains.

I am really interested in hearing where ARC found his picture. It is identical the this chain.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Antiquarian, I think the chain may have been in the trunk the locking latch was on. These items were within a 3-4 foot radius in shallow water with gravel bottom. The water was clear enough to see the items mentioned and material that resembled a trunk remains.

I am really interested in hearing where ARC found his picture. It is identical the this chain.

Yes, I am too. I don't understand why he didn't include a description on what it is or where it came from?
As you know, sometimes pics show up in a web search without a description or where the source originated from.

Dave

 

[nicknies]

The cherubs are also called putti/putto and can be winged as these are. Getting closer ARC to your picture?

 

[KayNies]

AARC, I am Nick's wife. I found your picture under Pinterest. They are antique brass bell pulls, vintage item from the 1800's.