Check out my fylfot/Buddist brush

**Hex** · 12-25-2010, 10:20 AM

I got this as part of a gift set including the mirror, stand, bowl, and a mint SS.

The bottom of the brush says:

Sterilized
Swastika
USA

The swastika looks to be part of the original inscription, not an after thought.

Any ideas ?

**malocchio** · 12-25-2010, 11:06 AM

no....if it's made in the u.s.,it is pre ww2,the swastika is a sign of purity,and was used moderately in this country before ww2.of course in budhist and hindu goods we still see it today...nice brush,worth restoring for sure

**spindlecone** · 12-25-2010, 11:43 AM

Not a swastika,is a ST bridgit (sp) cross,sign of good luck.

**DavyRay** · 12-25-2010, 11:49 AM

The overall style is hard to place, but I would guess 1910 - 1924. Just a guess, based on the rather spare styling and brush proportions. "STERILIZED" puts it into the market in an English-speaking country.

The cross part is a minor part of the design.

**Crag** · 12-25-2010, 07:42 PM

Aye. This is a Chinese swastika, a Chinese symbol of love and life. The Nazi's perverted this symbol and made it the sick iteration that everybody thinks of when they see it...death and pain.

Anyhow, nice score, congrats. See HERE for more info;

**Hex** · 12-26-2010, 04:45 AM

Thanks for the info folks.

Would anyone care to postulate as to what it is doing on a shaving brush ?

**Bestarrkin** · 12-26-2010, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by Hex

Thanks for the info folks.

Would anyone care to postulate as to what it is doing on a shaving brush ?

It means good luck and you have started your day with shaving and during your day it gives you luck or you want being lucky. Swastikas are used at doormats like four-leaf clover.

**JPDyson** · 12-26-2010, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Bestarrkin

It means good luck and you have started your day with shaving and during your day it gives you luck or you want being lucky. Swastikas are used at doormats like four-leaf clover.

Seems reasonable; good luck charms on a shaving brush (ie, something used at the start of a day) would make plenty of sense. Perhaps analogous to something like a coffee cup with an encouraging quote.

**Hex** · 12-26-2010, 08:46 AM

Would this material be silver plated, or nickel, or ???

I am thinking about getting the whole set restored, mirror, stand, and all.

**Blue58** · 12-26-2010, 10:26 AM

The swastika was used all over the world prior to WWII and it had various meanings depending on where it was used but primarily it was all good meanings such as health and prosperity, good luck, fertility, so basically a good omen. It is still used in some countries and cultures and retains its status as a good omen.

This symbol was very common in Europe prior to WWII and was frequently put on products made by many different companies of the time.

As for what its made of.... I would say test a small area on the underside of the mirror stand with silver polish. If it cleans up well and does not damage the metal then you could probably safely assume the rest is also silver or silverplate.

As for replacing the brush... I would go very slowly and carefully so that you don't damage the silver handle of the brush.

Good luck