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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: WinstonNorth on February 23, 2015, 12:29:47 PM

Title: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: WinstonNorth on February 23, 2015, 12:29:47 PM

I always thought that these cast iron stars were architectural stars from an old brick building, but as you can see, the holes in the middle of the stars are square and every architectural star I've ever seen has a small round hole in the middle.

My father got these from his grandmother, and he has a vague memory of them being something rescued from a civil war cemetery or something civil war related. But we just don't know.

Your help is appreciated thank you very much!

(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/OldNorth/antiques/HPIM2068_zpsgvcjvsri.jpg)

(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/OldNorth/antiques/HPIM2070_zpsm008stmw.jpg)

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: wilhenri on February 23, 2015, 01:36:18 PM

I have seen similar on rails above walls so the rails rotate to help stop people getting over said wall.. just a thought still thinking though

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: mart on February 23, 2015, 03:25:47 PM

How big are they ??

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: Rauville on February 23, 2015, 04:07:59 PM

I would guess that they might be base escutcheons from a square post wrought iron fence?
Different styles/sizes are available today.
http://img.tjskl.org.cn/nimg/31/c1/22b57eb850f7d43eaf6cf41c1dc5-0x0-0/offer_wrought_iron_steel_bases_shoes_and_flenges.jpg (http://img.tjskl.org.cn/nimg/31/c1/22b57eb850f7d43eaf6cf41c1dc5-0x0-0/offer_wrought_iron_steel_bases_shoes_and_flenges.jpg)

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: sugarcube5419 on February 23, 2015, 04:42:17 PM

I have seen these in cemeteries where a person from the service had them inserted by the grave with their military title and years in the middle.

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: Dewain on February 23, 2015, 04:53:38 PM

Civil war Grave markers. the centers are missing.

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: mart on February 23, 2015, 08:52:27 PM

How were these used Dewain ??  I have never seen any like them !!

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: KC on February 23, 2015, 11:05:08 PM

Me either Mart! Tried finding a picture of it.

Can you post the dimension of the entire piece and the inner dimenson of the "square hole"?

They remind me of the decor/guards/baskets on support poles (which were typically square) on old fencing (such as that you could find in old cemeteries, gardens, etc.)

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: WinstonNorth on February 24, 2015, 08:47:41 AM

Thank you all very much for the help.

I still cannot confirm that these are grave or service markers. I can't find anything on google using similar search terms.

I understand what you mean about old fencing, that may be what they are but I also have not been able to confirm that.

The dimensions are 5.5 inches long, 5.5 inches wide and the middle is 2 inches squared.

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: mart on February 24, 2015, 06:21:52 PM

Quote from: KC on February 23, 2015, 11:05:08 PM

Me either Mart! Tried finding a picture of it.

Can you post the dimension of the entire piece and the inner dimenson of the "square hole"?

They remind me of the decor/guards/baskets on support poles (which were typically square) on old fencing (such as that you could find in old cemeteries, gardens, etc.)

Maybe Dewain will come back and tell us more !!

Title: Re: Cast Iron Stars
Post by: Mat on February 25, 2015, 04:41:53 AM

Hi, I do not know anything on this, but, having in mind what your family remembers, I think Dewain could be right. On a google search I found similar ones as veteran grave markers, here some examples: http://www.prices4antiques.com/Veterans-Grand-Army-of-the-Republic-Grave-Marker-Flag-Holders-4-Cast-Iron-B138846.html
Mat