Posted 12 years ago
chuckg
(23 items)
This is an interesting pin I bought at a church sale and whose owner told me her great grandmother brought it from Germany in the late 1800s. Any info as to its significance, there are cabbages, an arm in wood, a fish and various other implements on it, I believe in silver... The last pic denotes the word "PRATA 036 B.A. " and an undecipherable number that looks like "900". Any info as to age, value (if any), region of manufacture, etc. will be appreciated. Thanks Chuck Gricus Marion, MA
Hi Chuck! I was looking at your brooch and in the last photo, it looks like there is some marking above the clasp. If there is, can you post a closeup photo of it? It could help a lot with the information you're looking for and make identification a lot easier. It's a very interesting piece! Good luck in your search. :-)
I will try to hget a better pic of the inscription (If I can find it)...
If you can't get a picture of it, do you have either a good magnifying glass or better yet, a jewler's/printer's loupe? I have a feeling that whatever is may help you. It's a very unusual piece!
I don't know about the brooch itself, but the wooden arm-charm is for good luck and it is called a 'fuga' I think. They made them in various materials. I have two of them in stone.
The arm charm is a "figa"
Hi again, Chuck. I hadn't forgotten about you, I just hadn't found out anything. For what it's worth, PRATA means silver in Portuguese. If the uncertain number is 900, then it is most likely 900/1000 or what is called coin silver. Google "Mano Fico" and you'll find the many and varied forms of the fist charm, as well as the different meanings in different cultures. I'm thinking in the case of this brooch, it was most likely to ward off the evil eye. If I find out anything more about any of the other symbols, or the maker of this piece, I'll be sure to let you know!
Thanks, check out my other query under military
Oops figa it is, sorry