Polishing Horse-Brasses - and my 300th Discussion
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (323672)
Rockingham, Australia
June 24, 2016 8:51pm CST
We are having the kitchen/lounge area painted and all the dust-collecting knick-knacks and photos have had to come down from the walls. I am trying to limit the number that go back up. Today I polished the few horse brasses that I have and which hang in the bar area.
In my copy of 'The Heavy Horse, its Harness and Harness Decoration' by Terry Keegan, it states that horse brasses have been in existence for a several centuries. Some have symbolic meanings and might have been used to ward off the 'evil eye' but it seems most were used purely and simply as decorative additions to the harness of draught animals. The set of three brasses on a hanger would have been attached to the breast-plate and would hang on the chest of the horse.
My brasses will be going back up as I like them and the place they occupy is not particularly suitable for anything else. I must admit I am glad I don't have a lot of items which need polishing.
23 people like this
22 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (16498)
• China
25 Jun 16
Those fine horse brasses are wonderful ! Sorry ,I haven't ridden a horse,much less having any knowledge of the horse brasses.
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22932)
• India
25 Jun 16
You have done some heavy duty polishing. They look good.Congratulations on your milestone
2 people like this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
27 Jun 16
That is a good decision to reduce work. I had to downsize my collection of several brass items. I sold them.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jun 16
I have some pretty glasses I'd like to sell but I think postage would be expensive.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
26 Jun 16
those are pretty neat looking
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39517)
• United States
26 Jun 16
what a beautiful collection, ms. judy! so glad to read that'cher gonna put'em back once the paintin' 'tis done. there's times i'd love to box'p 90% 'f what's out fer 'display' here. did such many years 'go, sure made cleanin' a breeze! within 2 months though, the hubs'd brought'n more "treasures"...more'n what i'd packed 'way.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39517)
• United States
27 Jun 16
@JudyEv yes ma'am, though the outside suffers way more :( thanks fer the hugs!! 'm sendin' ya some's well :)
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
25 Jun 16
good brass items. we also have brass here in my house but they are kept inside a glass cabinet; even though they are inside, dust and cobwebs still enter and make them dusty
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
@JudyEv i agree. why, even in an aircon room dust still enter and land in the brass.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19274)
• Philippines
25 Jun 16
They look so beautiful and shiny as if they are new. Great collection because each one can have a story in it. I am also keeping a horse shoe of my father's horse. I kept it and put at the top of the back door because some say it brings good luck. I don't know, I just love to put it there.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19274)
• Philippines
26 Jun 16
@JudyEv yes, that's the way I put it, as someone told me. Thanks. I am glad to know you also believe in such lucky charm.
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
I am sorry you lost some of your treasures. That would be very hard and sad for you.
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
I think I picked them up in England originally. I don't think Australians went in for quite so much decoration although they braid up the manes and tails for exhibition.
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
I missed the 200th post. One day it was 198 and suddenly I was on 205 so I was keeping an eye out this time.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
25 Jun 16
Oh yes my father had a few horse brasses and it was a blooming chore to clean them!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
They look very pretty and would go well in our English style family room. We just got rid of a lot of brass objects when we had a new fireplace put in and ours oak floors sanded and restained. I do have lots of silver that needs polishing, but I love it. Congrats on your milestone!
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
25 Jun 16
Congrats on your 300th post! The horse brasses are beautiful. I like decorative items, how nice to decorate a harness for a horse!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
Some of the photos of harnessed horses show a lot of ornamentation including little brass vases which are designed to hold flowers.