Not sure how old it is, but also don't think it's junk. From the patina and discoloration I would say that it's made of copper, and that has value in itself.
Good chance that piece is either copper...or most likely, brass. If you have a scrap yard nearby, or knows someone who scraps, I'd think this item was a good candidate for recycling.
I buy all the silver plated serving pieces I can at cheap prices. They sure help the scrap pile and the pay out I get.