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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,981 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2490 Posts |
This portrait comes from a medallion/brooch:  It is some form of early plastic but, if my suspicions are correct, too early for Bakelite. I thought it might be Prince Albert but would appreciate a wider point of view as I feel he has a Nordic look to him. As always your opinions are valued. Bob |
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Pillar of the Community
Thailand
1509 Posts |
Portrait looks too old and also too much facial hair for Prince Albert.
I'd certainly be looking at European royalty/aristocracy. Any other clues?
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2490 Posts |
Unfortunately no.It was only the receding hairline that put me in mind of Albert. Clutching at straws as usual.  |
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Valued Member
Canada
316 Posts |
I'm not a big connaisseur but I think he looks I little like Wilhelm 1. but I'm maybe far off.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1388 Posts |
I was thinking Wilhelm as well....
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Valued Member
United States
318 Posts |
Curious to see the back of it. That may give us more clues to his identity.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I think there's a closer resemblance to Christian IX of Denmark (15 November 1863 -- 29 January 1906)  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
It resembles a lot like Christian IX facial-wise, but the beard doesn't match that much.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
 It's not a close enough match--none of his coins show him with a beard. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
That doesn't necessarily mean anything. There're plenty of, say, Victorian medals on which she doesn't look same as on any coins. Or I got this KG2 medal, he looks totally different on coins:  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
I don't know who the guy is, but if your plastic piece predates bake-lite it can only be Gutta Percha, a.k.a. balata. It is a natural thermoplastic that was discovered/invented prior to 1850. I am not sure about the details of it, just know it was used to make a lot of different things during the U.S. Civil War and I occasionally find stuff made from it during relics hunts.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
575 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2490 Posts |
The back shows the remains of a broken clasp which was embedded during the manufacturing process. This to my mind rules out Bois Durci as a likely material.  It measures 44.52mm x 5.7mm and weighs 10gr. Wilhelm I has been a popular choice elsewhere and whoever it is must have been instantly recogniseable in his own time. Gutta Percha's a good idea. I'd only associated it with old golf balls, but on investigation it's going to be either that or the balata. Thanks all, this is really great! Bob |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,981 |
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Posted 03/22/2012 08:19 am
