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Antique Collectables 18thc Thread Covered Gentleman's Life Preserver with Brass Finials. English C1770-90.
Sold by Mark Seabrook Antiques
sold SA1157972
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Mark Seabrook Antiques

Mark Seabrook Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2020
Browse dealers 37 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in 17/18thc oak & country furniture, antique treen, early metalware & english pottery.
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Id #SA1157972
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Antique Collectables 18thc Thread Covered Gentleman's Life Preserver with Brass Finials. English C1770-90.

18th century
Sold 5 September 2025 · Mark Seabrook Antiques
This “Antique Collectables 18thc Thread Covered Gentleman's Life Preserver with Brass Finials. English C1770-90” found a buyer.

It was listed by Mark Seabrook Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

A fine quality "Gentleman's Life Preserver" which also could be a "Bosuns Persuader", as they are both similar....this came from a ladies' personal collection and is covered in brown threadwork with each end weighted in lead and covered with the intricate brown threadwork....what is nice about this early example, is that it has a brass disc shape plaque on each end, that has a picture of a horses head on it,...something I have not seen before...it is in nice "used" condition with a little wear on one end, where the lead can just be seen, but doesn't detract from the item...in fact it shows it has had a life..!

English C1770-90.

Physical Dimensions
Height
3.6cm (1.42")
Width
29.2cm (11.50")
Depth
3.6cm (1.42")
Declaration

Mark Seabrook Antiques has dated this Antique Life Preserver to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1157972
Dealers Internal Reference
MS 8324
Dealers Notes

Payment can be made by Bank Transfer , all you will need are my Bank Details, which I will send you or off line by Credit / Debit card ,..... e-mail or telephone your card details (long card number, expiry date and three security digits on the reverse of the card) through to me and I will do the rest .

Please quote the Internal Reference Number to identify the item you are enquiring about....thank you.

Description
A fine quality "Gentleman's Life Preserver" which also could be a "Bosuns Persuader", as they are both similar....
“
this came from a ladies' personal collection and is covered in brown threadwork with each end weighted in lead and covered with the intricate brown threadwork.
Mark Seabrook Antiques

...what is nice about this early example, is that it has a brass disc shape plaque on each end, that has a picture of a horses head on it,...something I have not seen before...it is in nice "used" condition with a little wear on one end, where the lead can just be seen, but doesn't detract from the item...in fact it shows it has had a life..!

English C1770-90.

Height
3.6cm (1.42")
Width
29.2cm (11.50")
Depth
3.6cm (1.42")
Date of Manufacture

Mark Seabrook Antiques has dated this Antique Life Preserver to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1157972
Dealers Internal Ref
MS 8324
Mark Seabrook Antiques
Mark Seabrook Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2020

Specialising in 17/18thc oak & country furniture, antique treen, early metalware & english pottery.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Mark Seabrook Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century thread-covered gentlemans life preserver featuring bulbous ends and brass finials, isolated against a white background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 4
Archive I An 18th-century thread-covered gentlemans life preserver featuring bulbous ends and brass finials, isolated against a white background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Collectables 18thc Thread Covered Gentleman's Life Preserver with Brass Finials. English C1770-90.

Archive II An 18th-century thread-covered gentlemans life preserver featuring bulbous ends and brass finials, isolated against a white background. View II
Archive III An 18th-century thread-covered gentlemans life preserver featuring bulbous ends and brass finials, isolated against a white background. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century thread-covered gentlemans life preserver featuring bulbous ends and brass finials, isolated against a white background. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Mark Seabrook Antiques

Mark Seabrook Antiques
Telephone 07770 721931
Location
Bedfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/wwwmarkseabrookcom
Verified Since Apr 2020
Items For Sale 37
Items Sold 1,054
Mark Seabrook Antiques
Mark Seabrook Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/wwwmarkseabrookcom
Verified
Apr 2020
For Sale
37
Sold
1,054
An 18th-century thread-covered gentlemans life preserver featuring bulbous ends and brass finials, isolated against a white background.
Antique Collectables 18thc Thread Covered Gentleman's Life Preserver With Brass Finials. English C1770-90.
Ref: SA1157972
An 18th-century thread-covered gentlemans life preserver featuring bulbous ends and brass finials, isolated against a white background.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectCuriosities & Collectables
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialWood, Thread, Brass, Lead
  • ColourBrown
  • MotifsTightly wound thread binding, Bulbous weighted ends, Brass finial caps
  • SizeH 3.6 cm (1 in) x W 29.2 cm (11 in) x D 3.6 cm (1 in)

FAQs

A life preserver in this historical context refers to a small, heavy-duty bludgeon or club carried by gentlemen in the 18th and 19th centuries for personal protection against highwaymen and urban street crime.

These pieces typically comprised a weighted core of lead or iron, wrapped in tightly woven cord, thread, leather, or baleen, often finished with brass caps or finials for added durability.

Authentic items display period-correct wear, traditional cord-binding techniques, hand-forged or cast brass components, and natural material ageing consistent with late 18th-century craftsmanship.

Displaying historical curiosities on a bespoke mount within a study or library cabinet adds an element of historical intrigue and sophisticated academic charm to a room.

Maintain stable indoor humidity levels away from direct sunlight to protect organic thread and leather bindings, and gently dust metal elements with a dry, soft cloth without applying harsh chemical polishes.
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