Horse Brass Bridle Medallion: Windmill Design, Vintage Equestrian Décor, 1920s - SOLD

A vintage brass horse bridle medallion with a windmill design, a harness ornament with wonderful markings and a deep old patina.

• Materials: Brass
• Dimensions: 2.75" diameter (widest point); 3.25" long including hanger
• Origin: Likely Scotland (unmarked by a manufacturer)
• Era: Vintage 1920s-1930s (estimated)
• Condition: Very good; surface scratches, spots and markings consistent with age, with the old patina left in place. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.

This medallion would have hung from the harness of a working horse. It keeps some shine beneath the old patina, and we didn't polish it, since many collectors like the aged look, but it can be brightened for a higher shine if you prefer. There is no manufacturer's mark.

Lovely tied with ribbon to a vase, ginger jar or lamp base, tucked into a gift wrap, hung on a Christmas wreath or tree, or given as a memento at a Kentucky Derby party or equestrian event.

Horse brasses have adorned bridles since before the Roman era, with decorative medallions first appearing in England during the 1700s and later in Scotland. So many motifs were made that each could stand for the horse owner's trade or place of pride, and a windmill could point to a miller or to a region known for its windmills. Believed to ward off evil spirits, horse brasses are now collected and displayed as decorative pieces.

Pair it with our other vintage horse brass medallions for a collected-over-time look on a mantel or bookshelf.