Discovered on Leith Hill, Surrey, this bridle boss carries the initials N.V.W. and was found on land still held by the same family whose ancestor once lost it. It provides a rare and personal link between the history of the land and those who continue to care for it today.
Bridle bosses were decorative fittings fixed to the harness of a horse, often engraved or cast with initials, emblems or coats of arms to identify the owner. They were both practical and personal, symbolising pride in one’s horses, land and status. To uncover one that can be traced directly to the landowner’s lineage is a true privilege.
For us, these are the most rewarding discoveries, finds that don’t just tell a general story of history, but reconnect people to their ancestors and the places they lived. The last person to touch this piece before it was lost was almost certainly N.V.W. herself, making it a tangible link across centuries.
We were proud to return this bridle boss to the family who continue to care for the same land today, and who kindly allow us to detect there. Something tells us this won’t be the last piece of their family’s history waiting to be rediscovered beneath Leith Hill.