These display straps feature custom-made medallions showing the family crest.
Each strap has 14 antique "round ridge" bells that date to the late 1800s. More about round ridge bells...
The customer and I had a long discussion about how to include the family name on the straps. I have installed engraved plaques on several straps and have stamped short monograms on other straps. Both solutions have their strengths and weaknesses.
The customer decided to go in a different direction entirely. He had round brass pendants custom-made with their family name and crest. I designed small brass-wire fasteners to securely fasten the pendants onto the leather straps.
If this had been a project I was making for myself, I probably would have antiqued the pendants to darken the brass so it blended better with the antique bells. But I did not absolutely 100% know my antiquing method would be successful. I felt it was far better to accept the existing look of the pendants than risk a permanent and undesirable color change.
Each strap is a rivet-style construction made with black leather 1 1/2 inches wide. The leather lining strap on the back is fastened to the front with small solid-brass rivets between the bells and medallion. The finished piece is about 38 inches long, not including the top hanging ring. The ring adds about 3 inches to the length.
This particular item is a custom, one-of-a-kind project made for a past client. Items in this Custom Projects section are for information only; they are not available for regular sale.
