Antique "UNION & LIBERTY" Eagle/Shield/Flag metal work, Fox Silver Co, CT c.1860

Description

Antique oval silverplated metal work.
Own a piece of Connecticut's Legendary Silversmith industry of the 19th century.
"Union & Liberty"
The motto above over a sunning Eagle perched on shield with cannonballs and two Flags.
From the Fox Silver Company of East Hardtford, Connecticut
Circa 1860
This is new (really old) stock.  What the final product would be for these pieces is a mystery.  Best guess is that it was the top of a snuff box lid.  Other possiblilities were mentioned such as, ornamental dressage for horses, military metal... your guess is as good as mine (Historians feel free to DM me with answers).
Dimensions: 3" by 2" by 1/4"
Magnate takes to it, so it is not silver and believed to be silverplate.
Own a little piece of history.
Speaking of History here is some information on the owner of Fox Sliver Co.:
Dudley Fox
Born: 8 May 1823, East Hartford, CT
Marriage: Clarinda Grant on 20 Nov 1844 in New Britain, CT
Died: 23 Aug 1889, Hartford CT, USA
Dudley Fox (1823-1889), a silversmith/jeweler, built the house at 177 Naubuc Avenue in East Hartford in 1854. He then constructed a factory to the north were he manufactured silver plated ware. Fox served as the Hockanum postmaster from May 12, 1865, through November 27, 1867 and used a fancy stamp cancellation marking in the form of a Running Fox. (for more information see “Dudley’s Fox” by W.J. Duffney). Business did not go well and in 1869 Fox sold the house to his son-in-law.
Events in his life were:
He worked from circa 1845 to 1865 as a metalsmith in Hartford CT
Though cited as a silversmith during this period, it's apparent that Fox was a general metalsmith, producing tin, pewter, and silverplated goods from a small shop next to his home. The inventory of the full contents of the shop found in the East Hartford Land Records dated January 20, 1868, reads, “17 Rolls of Stock about 1,300 lbs. in the front of Store also 15 Rolls of Stock 1000 lbs. in Back Room together with 500 lbs scrapes or cuttings. 5 shelves of wooden chucks. 3 Lathes in Running order, one Large Press & Die, One Small Press & Dies, One Drop Press & Dies, One Large Press Down Seller, Two Squaring Shears, One Small Laze Folding Machine, One Drop Press down below, 2 Melting Kettles, also Sett of Copper or Brass Molds for Castings.”
On 28 January 1868, he sold his works to his son-in-law, Horace B. Olmstead, and moved to Bellow Falls, where he established a jewelry store.
He appeared on the 1850 census taken at Hartford CT, listed as a tinner.
He appeared on the 1860 census taken at Hartford CT, listed as a manufacturing tinner.
He worked from circa 1865 to 1870 as a jeweler in Hockanum, Hampshire, MA
He worked c 1870 as a jeweler in Bellows Falls VT
He appeared on the 1870 census taken at Rockingham VT, listed as a jeweler.
He worked c 1880 as a jeweler in Hartford CT
He appeared on the 1880 census taken at Hartford CT, listed as a jeweler.
Dudley married Clarinda Grant on 20 Nov 1844 in New Britain CT. (Clarinda Grant was born on 20 Nov 1827 in Wapping CT.)
Thanks for looking.
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