~ Victorian 'Billy and Charley', Shadwell Forgery ~

Here we have what appears to be a plaque shaped as a shield showing the face of an armoured man with a sceptre and a sword.

The figure in the image is wearing a chainmail hauberk and coif. The sword and sceptre point to the regalia of a monarch suggesting this is a King.

The edge has been decorated with script of which we recognised the medieval abbreviated numerals using a combination of Apostrophus symbols and letters. 

Among other dates few are quite clear indicating the numbers 516, 1270 and 2505. We do not know if they represent different dates, which they may. Presumably these symbols are random.

This item is one of the forgeries created by William Smith and Charles Eaton during the mid 19th century in London.

These forgeries are famous in their own right and have a large collectors base.

This forgery is made from lead possibly mixed with other base metals.

~ Dimensions ~

The piece is 5.5 inches (14cm) high.

The piece is 3.5 inches ( 9 cm) wide.

The piece weighs 130 g.

~ Condition ~

The piece has aged and appears to have been cleaned.

There is some signs of corrosion and damage but in good condition for its age.

~ Reference ~

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