Polishing Horse-Brasses - and my 300th Discussion

@JudyEv (323043)
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
@thelme55 (76341)
• Germany
25 Jun 16
They look good and they are shining now.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
Yes, they didn't really take a lot of cleaning luckily.
1 person likes this
• 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
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
Horses that pull ploughs and drays would have had a lot of ornamentation especially if the outfits were out in public.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
26 Jun 16
They look lovely Judy, and congrats on 300 posts. I haven't done anywhere near that number.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
27 Jun 16
@JudyEv I often find people by going down other people's comments - sometimes you forget about people if your paths haven't crossed for a while.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jun 16
It's surprising how quickly they mount up. I seem to earn better if I have a discussion or two up. I should go down the comments on others' posts I guess and try to interact more in that way.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Jun 16
@jaboUK That's very true. Sometimes I go through one or other of my 'follow' lists but I think the comments is a better way to go.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35452)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
They are lovely. I had to empty the china cabinet when we got new flooring and I have not put the stuff back as it had way too much stuff in it. I have not felt like making those decisions though, so it's all shoved in the spare room.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jun 16
@paigea I'm a bit like that too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
It can be hard to make decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.
@paigea (35452)
• Canada
26 Jun 16
@JudyEv Yes, I have to be in the right decision making mood or it all stays!
1 person likes this
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
27 Jun 16
Nice collection! I have one somewhere, that has a pelican in her piety on it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jun 16
Do you mean a horse brass with a pelican on it? I should think that would be unusual.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jun 16
@Telynor That would be awesome. I'd love to see it.
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
27 Jun 16
@JudyEv Yes. I will try and find it, and take a photo for you.
1 person likes 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
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
Thanks. It is satisfying to see them shining brightly again.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130092)
• 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 (323043)
• 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
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
They look nice where we have them displayed so I'll be keeping them for the moment.
1 person likes this
• 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
• 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
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
Oh dear! It must be a bit difficult to have a hoarder in the house.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17715)
• South Africa
27 Jun 16
those are some beautiful brass horseshoes and plenty of good luck on your wall (if you believe it0
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jun 16
I only believe it if I have good luck. :)
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
25 Jun 16
They look.shiny and new :) I am thinking of the belt.my father used to wear and he would.asked us to polish it. Am glad it wasnjust one.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
I guess it was just the buckle that needed to be polished? They are a nuisance really.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
@Lucky15 That is probably a very good thing.
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
26 Jun 16
@JudyEv it is ma'am. Then...there is no more of that in their uniform..the new one
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
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
Yes, even behind glass these items can become dusty and tarnished.
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
@Shiva49 (26141)
• Singapore
25 Jun 16
Good to keep them ; looks to be in pristine condition too - siva
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
I have other knick-knacks that I will give away before I give these away.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26141)
• Singapore
26 Jun 16
@JudyEv I tend to hold on but there comes a time to let go - siva
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
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
Did you know you are supposed to put the shoe up with the 'open' end up the top? Otherwise the good luck is supposed to fall out.
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.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Jun 16
I love b rass artifacts and among things we lost when we were evicter was a lot of chrished brass items my son may have some sa ved in storage that he took out so he wouold djolong have the storage fee.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
I am sorry you lost some of your treasures. That would be very hard and sad for you.
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
25 Jun 16
Are these Australian brasses, do you know?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• 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.
@gudheart (12659)
25 Jun 16
They look lovely and polished :D Well done on your 300th post :D
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323043)
• 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 (23394)
• 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
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
I won't be buying any more that's for sure. I have just enough!
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
@JudyEv (323043)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jun 16
I had a horse-collar that I was going to put a mirror into but in the end I sold it. I have some silverware too but most is in a cupboard and not on display.
1 person likes this
• 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 (323043)
• 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.