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  PRESSED BRASS EAGLE, AN EARLY PARADE FLAG HOLDER & BUNTING TIE-BACK, AN ESPECIALLY ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE, ca 1870-1890's:
Dimensions (inches): 29.5" wide x 9.5" tall x 2" deep
Description:
Pressed brass eagles decorated the interiors of Civil War veterans' halls, armories, and government buildings. They typically have rectangular brackets on the reverse , into which patriotic bunting could be tucked, and/or open tubes, into which the wooden staffs of parade flags could be affixed to fan out above the eagle's wings. This example has a bracket, in which there are circular openings for flag staffs. There appears to have been a ring or wire bracket below this, through which bunting could be threaded to act as a tie back for a swag on a wall or above a doorway. This may also have doubled as a point by which the bird could be affixed at the top of a staff and carried above a banner in parades. To each side of the primary flag bracket are two small metal rings that could either be used for hanging it on the wall or affixing bunting during parade use.

Eagles like this began to appear during the last quarter of the 19th century and production probably persisted until around 1900. The surface was gilded in gold leaf to give it a lasting luster. Much of the original gilding remains and the patina is excellent. The structure is hollow-bodied and three-dimensional. This is a particularly nice one because of the profile of the bird and the beautiful detailing in the feathers, some of which curl around into circular swirls.

Condition: There are some dings and dents at the ends of the wing tips and there is some oxidation and loss of the gold leaf, but these are to be expected and the bird has a beautiful presentation. A ring or wire bracket is absent from the back, which is of no great consequence.
   
Primary Color:
Earliest Date: 1870
Latest Date: 1900
For Sale Status: Sold
Price SOLD
E-mail: info@jeffbridgman.com
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