Did You Know? Horse Brasses Were Used As Amulets in Ancient Times?

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I was sitting here this morning, acknowledging my latest responses, when the E-Bay ad at the top of the page showed a set of horse brasses for sale. I glanced up, and nostalgia started to creep in. I was thinking back to the days when horse brasses were abundant in Country Manor Houses and Estate Houses, Olde Worlde Pubs, Tea Rooms, Farm Houses... even in little Country Cottages, especially, it would seem, in Wales. Horse brasses; often horseshoe, or circular shapes, depicted Hunting Scenes; Birds; Animals, especially Dogs and Working Horses, Trains, Country Emblems, etc. etc, but there were also crescents, stars, heraldic designs and hearts. The majority of brasses found these days have not actually been displayed on a working horse but in homes and public places. Some are very rare, and few and far between. There are, of course, mass produced modern brasses, of which you will find a good selection in gift shops and the like, whilst on holiday. Horse brasses probably originate from amulets of ancient times; the earliest of these being circular or crescent shaped. These shapes were followed by geometric designs based on the Sun's rays. Their origin stems from the ancient belief in the power of the 'Evil Eye', and evil was associated with darkness, light being regarded as the antidote. Therefore, the classic designs were related to Sun worship. Horses were adorned with brasses hundreds of years ago, by gypsies and Romans, so nobody is sure whether it was gypsies who first brought the brasses to England or if it was an influence brought back from the crusades. Brasses were not cast in England until the early eighteen hundreds, and all early brasses were hand made. Not only were these treasures used to adorn horses, but they were often found in homes; country manors, country estates, farm houses, public houses and even little country cottages and were used as amulets to protect homes from the 'Evil Eye' and to bring good luck to the homes, land and inhabitants. Brasses can still be seen in several country places, including pubs, and often adorn ceiling beams and fireplaces, along with brass bells, fire bellows, hearth tools, log boxes and coal scuttles, to name but a few. Many original and older type brasses can be found in antique and curiosity shops, whilst modern-day, mass-manufactured ones can be found in gift shops, whilst on holiday, especially in the north of England, the West Country, Wessex, Sussex, Wales and Ireland. Several Cornish Pixie ones can be found in the West Country, and they are used more now as a nostalgic, country-style decoration, rather than an amulet, although still regarded as lucky by the superstitious. Naturally, they can be found in farmhouses, hunting lodges and country pubs, to this day. Do you collect horse brasses, bells or any other type of brasses? Do you use a pub where there's an abundance of brass items, and do you believe they have amulet powers? I love them and find them very interesting... perhaps because of my beliefs or perhaps because I'm a country person... who knows? It's a lot of work keeping them clean, but well worth the effort when they glint the reflection of the fire flames. There are several along the beams of my local pub, which create a great country atmosphere.