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Horseshoe Plaque Trivets ~ Victorian Good Luck Mementos
The Victorian fascination with Horseshoes is evident
in many of
the antiques we treasure today.
This Guide will introduce you to a popular horseshoe themed
memento of that era …
the Horseshoe Plaque Trivet!
Some Facts about Horseshoe Symbolism
(L) Horseshoe Plaque Trivet with Oriental type lettering, circa late 1800s
(R) God Bless Our Home 1889 Horseshoe Plaque Trivet
Did you know …
By the year 1000 AD cast bronze horseshoes, applied with nails, were being made in Europe.
The number seven has long been associated with luck, so it’s not unexpected to learn that a horseshoe was commonly nailed in place (on the hoof) with seven nails.
The original good luck Cast Iron Horseshoe was one lost by a horse. In order to be lucky it had to be discovered with the open end facing towards the finder. According to superstition it had to be hung by the same person who found it and with the open end up, in order to hold in the luck.
The rules for purchased good luck horseshoes were a bit different. They could be hung as noted above or with the ends pointed downward, so that the luck would flow out to surround and protect.
Horseshoes were thought to have the power to repel evil spirits. They were commonly placed over doorways and by chimneys to keep witches or fairies from gaining entrance to the home. A horseshoe nailed over the bed could protect against bad dreams and demons of the night. When used in this fashion the horseshoe ends had to point downward.
The number seven has long been associated with luck, so it’s not unexpected to learn that a horseshoe was commonly nailed in place (on the hoof) with seven nails.
The original good luck Cast Iron Horseshoe was one lost by a horse. In order to be lucky it had to be discovered with the open end facing towards the finder. According to superstition it had to be hung by the same person who found it and with the open end up, in order to hold in the luck.
The rules for purchased good luck horseshoes were a bit different. They could be hung as noted above or with the ends pointed downward, so that the luck would flow out to surround and protect.
Horseshoes were thought to have the power to repel evil spirits. They were commonly placed over doorways and by chimneys to keep witches or fairies from gaining entrance to the home. A horseshoe nailed over the bed could protect against bad dreams and demons of the night. When used in this fashion the horseshoe ends had to point downward.
How To Identify a Horseshoe Plaque Trivet
(L) Happy New Year 1888 Horseshoe Plaque Trivet
(R) Civil War era Horseshoe Easel Trivet: 69th Reg. Penn. Volunteers, Post 63
The majority of Horseshoe Plaque Trivets were manufactured from the mid 1800s through the early 1900s, peaking around 1890. They all share the basic horseshoe shape. Beyond that, designs varied according to the theme. Some were carnival prizes and might still bear traces of their original glitter. Others were fraternal emblems, lodge favors, commemoratives or were purchased as gifts. The American Eagle was featured atop many of these plaques, and Good Luck was a favorite sentiment.
Cast in iron, brass or bronze, most horseshoe trivets were six to seven inches in length, each weighing approximately one pound. Occasionally, larger ones were made for tabletop display, supported by a metal easel, like the rare example pictured above (upper R) measuring 10.75 x 6.75".
There were hundreds of different designs featuring fraternal symbols. Since many of those early organizations no longer exist, their histories, acronyms and symbolism can be difficult to research. A good reference book for anyone interested in fraternalism is The International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders by Daniel Axelrod, written in 1997.
Searching for Horseshoe Plaque Trivets on eBay
(L) Small Good Luck Horseshoe Plaque Trivet, 4 x 2.125", circa late 1800s
(R) Ancient Order of Foresters Horseshoe Plaque Trivet, circa 1870
The traditional place to discover these trivets has been the antique store/mall or flea market. Others would occasionally turn up at estate auctions. However, today the most convenient and efficient place to search is right here on eBay. And, of course, the Search is half the fun! You'll find them listed under various headings, such as horseshoe, horse shoe, plaque, paperweight, and wall hanger. Sometimes they are listed in the historical category and at other times you might find them under antique metalware or collectibles. With practice you will soon become a Horseshoe Trivet Detective, adept at finding these Auctions! eBay: Horseshoe Trivet By the way, all the antiques you see displayed in this Guide were purchased through eBay Auctions!
You'll find more information on horseshoe plaque trivets in the following reference books: A-Z Guide To Trivets by Lynn Rosack (my book), Trivets & Stands by Rob Roy Kelly & James Ellwood and Pressing Irons & Trivets by Esther Berney.
Suggestions for Cleaning & Displaying
Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Wooden Wall Plaque
Example of Pyrography by the Flemish Art Company of NY, circa late 1880s
Example of Pyrography by the Flemish Art Company of NY, circa late 1880s
Cleaning Tips
As a collector, I admire and prefer the natural look of antique metal. I would discourage anyone from repainting these valuable antiques with flat black paint! Not only does it make them less attractive, it can lower the value. And the paint is often applied over a dirty and rusty trivet, allowing the underlying damage to continue unchecked.Some of these trivets have been mounted on the walls of homes and barns for years because, according to superstition, once mounted it was bad luck to take them down. So there can be many layers of old paint to remove! In that case a commercial paint remover would be indicated, and it may require more than one application.
If you have a trivet that still bears traces of the original enamel and glitter sprinkles, be aware that in seasoning the trivet (directions to follow) the oven heat can make those original finishes disappear.
I like to clean cast iron & bronze trivets with a stiff steel brush in order to remove the grease, dirt and rust. At that point I dry each trivet and apply a generous layer of vegetable oil. I let them sit for 15 minutes as I preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Next ... carefully wipe off all the oil. Arrange the trivet(s) on a shelf in the oven, and bake for one hour. (This is similar to how a piece of cast iron cookware is seasoned.) At the end of an hour, remove and allow to cool.
Trivets made of brass are softer and need a different, gentler touch when cleaning. The finish can easily be scratched! You'll want to gently clean off the dirt and grease with a nylon brush or sponge, then buff with a polish made especially for brass.
A low wall along a kitchen counter provides a convenient space to display trivets!
Either cup hooks or picture hooks can be utilized for hanging.
Either cup hooks or picture hooks can be utilized for hanging.
Displaying Tips
Trivets make very attractive wall displays. They can be grouped by type, shape, or metal. For horseshoe plaque trivets, you can make a hanging ring easily using picture wire or pipe cleaners. Then ... arrange them on a wall in a pleasing fashion, using picture hooks. Another option, for trivets with open metalwork, is to hang them using cup hooks as in the picture above.eBay abounds with Auctions featuring items that will enhance the display appeal of your collection. For example, how about some framed Victorian Postcards featuring horseshoes? Or have you considered hanging Fraternal Photographs of lodges or members? You will also find some interesting Fraternal Plaques and signs as well as examples of Pyrography (burnt wood) such as the plaque featured above.
In Conclusion
Order of United Friends (OUF) Horseshoe Plaque Trivet, circa 1880
Original paint and glitter sparkles still remain!
I hope you've found this Guide interesting, and that it prompts you to explore the many varieties of Antiques as well as Collectibles available for purchase on eBay. There's no time like the present to add to a current collection or to begin a new one! Have a Question? Contact Me or bring it to eBay's Antiques Board.
I hope this Guide has been helpful to you!
But before you go ...
Here is a link to eBay Sellers who are currently selling copies of my 2004 book,
The A-Z Guide To Collecting Trivets:
Lynn's Trivet Book on eBay
As the Leader of the eBay Group Cast Iron & Brass Trivet Collectors
I would like to invite any of you interested in learning more about
trivets
(and meeting other Triveteers) to click here and Join Us:
eBay Trivet Group
And please see my other eBay Antiques & Collectibles Guides:
Trivet Buying Guide
Collecting Antique *Isle of Man* Trivets
American Beauty Irons
Antique Kitchen Collectibles
Antiquarian Medical Books
"Good Luck" & Happy Collecting!
copyright 2006-2008 Margaret Lynn Rosack
Guide created: 06/01/06 (updated 04/20/08)
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