We honor the achievements of the past in order to enrich our lives in the present.

Welcome to the Museum

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 02:37 — curator

Welcome to the Argonaut Virtual Museum of Victorian arts and Artifacts!

The collection is currently under development, as we move into our new website. Our old website is still available by clicking here. The old site continues to show our previous collection.

Allen 1847 Pepperbox

Sun, 07/12/2009 - 09:53 — curator

This six-shot Allen pepperbox was very popular during the 1850's. It is double-action, that is a pull on the trigger cocks and then releases the hammer. Rotation of the barrel is done by hand.
The hammer is marked "Allen's Patent". The protruding screw in the convexity of the grip is part of the original design.The hammer is marked "Allen's Patent". The protruding screw in the convexity of the grip is part of the original design.

Click any of these thumbnails for a closer look:

Watch Hook 1

Sat, 03/07/2009 - 18:21 — curator


This Etruscan Revival pin has a hook to attach a woman's watch.

Pique Brooch, Star Pattern

Sun, 02/22/2009 - 19:32 — curator
Unlike many of the pique pieces we encounter, this one has a substantial part of the design in silver. When first acquired, the silver was barely distinguishable from the surrounding tortoise-shell. Careful restoration, using baking soda and aluminum to reverse the tarnishing process brought it back to life.

Top Hat 2

Thu, 01/15/2009 - 21:32 — curator

Beaver felt top hat, dated 1868.

Top Hat 1

Tue, 01/13/2009 - 21:27 — curator

Stovepipe style black 1850s top hat, probably in beaver felt. Note the flat brim and relatively straight sides. The flare at the top is caused by the overlap of the covering and mull of the tip against the covering of the band.

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