It's a strap or belt buckle of some kind? Possible cinching type, Maybe Victorian times? It it looks like it may have had a tongue in the center bar at one time? They've been around and used for a long time from the Mesopotamian's to the Men who flew to the moon. A very ingenious device. Who ever first came up with it, would sure be in the class of the greatest inventions of all time with that idea. Value 5 bucks at best, more if it's sterling?