As I am using horse brasses in my latest painting I have decided to add some of my research to my blog. It’s so interesting to find out the history of something we all have come into contact with, but know so little about.
Certain types of horse brass have been in existence since before the 12th century in England. They were introduced as decorations but soon became used as good luck and status symbols. These medieval decorations (mentioned by Chaucer) however, have nothing whatsoever to do with the mid-19th century fashion for decorating the heavy, working horse, the brasses for which developed after about 1850 onwards during the flowering of the decorative arts following the Great Exhibition. There are lots of unfounded myths surrounding these decorations such as their usage as amulets to ward off the "evil eye". The most popular size is 3 × 3½ inches of flat brass with a hanger by which the brass threaded onto a horse harness strap, known as a Martingale. In England many of these items of harness found their way into country public houses as the era of the heavy horse declined, and are still associated today as a pub decoration.
By the late 19th century wagons and carts were decorated with brasses of all kinds and sizes. During this era working horse parades were popular throughout the British Isles and prize or merit awards were given, some by the RSPCA. Horse brasses were often highly prized by the "Carters", who decorated their horse with them. Other horse brass subjects include advertising, royalty commemoration, and in later years, souvenir brasses for places and events, many of which are still being made and used today.
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