...I'm not certain, but that sounds more like part of a state seal...the
following citation is for a book I used while cataloging a button
collection at the Smithsonian.  If you can find it, it is great and made
easy to through its numerous photos.  Also, I've forwarded your post
onto my reenacting company commander, who is a great historian and a
Mason.  Perhaps he will recognize the symbol.  Would enjoy seeing a post
of what you determine the artifact is! Good luck!
 
VivianLea Stevens
Curator, Software Programmer, Reenactor & Erstwhile Historian
 
CALL NUMBER: NK3670 .A48 1973
AUTHOR:   Albert, Alphaeus Homer, 1891-
TITLE: Record of American uniform and historical buttons, with
supplement ... 1775-1973 [by] Alphaeus H.
                 Albert.
PUBLISHED:      [Boyertown, Pa., Boyertown Pub. Co.] 1973.
ESCRIPTION:    448, 28 p. illus. 22 cm.
SUBJECT:   Buttons--United States.
SUBJECT:  Buttons--Collectors and collecting.
NOTE:  "First edition, with supplement." First ed. published in 1969
under title: Record of American uniform and historical buttons ...
1775-1968
 
Dane T. Magoon wrote:
>
> Hello Histarch People:
>
> I have an interesting artifact that I hope one of you has also come across.
> It appears to be either a belt or strap buckle, made of a copper alloy, and
> possibly related to clothing.  It looks similar to a buckle from either
> suspenders or a pair of overalls.  The site is the Rose Hotel site (11HN116)
> in southern Illinois, from contexts dating from approximately 1840 through
> the 20th century.  What I am primarily curious about is the ornate
> decoration located along the superior edge of the artifact.
>
> The central motif is an eagle, perched on top of a large bee-hive.  There is
> also a floral border at the lateral (left and right) edges of the buckle.
> Are these icons Masonic?  If this a particular company's logo, I'd love to
> know some details.  Any help would be appreciated.  I have two digital
> images of this artifact, and would be happy to send them out.  I would have
> included them as attachments to this message, but am not sure of the
> etiquette of doing so.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dane Magoon
> Graduate Student
> Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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