© crystalscurios 2007

FABULOUS ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON HORSE BRASS

All Photos © crystalscurios 2008   Offered here is this very nice horse brass depicting  Saint George fighting the dragon.  Nice detailed casting. Measures approx 2.50 inches in diameter. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@   The Legend of St. George and the Dragon Legend has it that a town was being terrorised by a fierce dragon and to appease this dragon young maidens were offered up to it. When St George heard of this he journeyed for many months until he arrived at this town. He met a poor hermit who told him that everyday the dragon demanded the sacrifice of a beautiful maiden and now all the young maidens had been killed. The only remaining young girl left was the King's daughter alone. At hearing this tale St George was determined to try and save the princess, so after he had rested the night, at daybreak he set out to the valley where the dragon lived. As he drew near he saw the young princess being led by her attendants to her place of death. At seeing this the brave knight spurred on his horse even faster and entered the valley where the dragon lay in wait. As soon as the dragon saw him it rushed from the cave. A great roar eminated from its immense head as it thrashed its fifty foot long tail wildly. Bravely - St George attacked the monster with his spear, hoping he would wound it. The dragon's scales were so hard that the spear broke into a thousand pieces, and St. George was unseated from  his horse. Luckily, when he fell he rolled under an enchanted tree which protected him from the dragon's poison, and within a few minutes he had recovered his strength and was able to fight again. Once again he advanced and struck the mighty dragon with his sword but again the dragon poured poison on him and his armour split in two. At this St George protected himself by drinking from the fruits of the enchanted tree and then, with sword in hand, he rushed at the dragon piercing it under the wing where there were no scales so that it fell dead at his feet. And thus St George slew this mighty Dragon. "@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@   Horse Brasses have been used for decoration and to ward off evil spirits and have been in existence since before the 12th century in England. Originally they were used for decoration but also were used for good luck charms and status symbols. Before and by the 18th century Horse Brasses were used as talismans to ward of the "Evil Eye". From around Queen Victoria and possibly before the Royals had special Horse Brasses made for their horses and carriages. Horse brasses were used to decorate ordinary working horses in the streets of London and other cities before and during the 1920s and 1930s. There was a good deal of competition and rivalry to have the best turned out and decorated horse !! Horse Brasses became especially popular in England in the 1800s, and remain a collectors item today ...... Please see pictures. "@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@   Shipping UK  ............................................................     $4.00   Europe AIRMAIL  ...................................   $5.00   Rest of world AIRMAIL  .....................   $6.00   I ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING : UK PAYMENT · PAYPAL · INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT · PAYPAL · · BUYER TO PAY SHIPPING/POSTAGE CHARGES · Payment to be received within 5 days of end of Sale   Pay me securely with any major credit card through PayPal!