Brass "whats it"

[watercolor]

Brass "what's it"

I found this the other day (Northern IL) and have no clue what it is.

It's size is approximately 1-3/8" square

Any ideas?





Thanks!
watercolor

 

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[Montana Jim]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Cover to an antique stamp box... that's a WAG.

 

[Blacksheep]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Years ago I had an incense burner that was similar in design, could be the
top to one.

EDIT: The smaller burners built kind of "chunky" were used for conical
incense)

 

[mickk]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Looks like the top of an ole pot pourri box, or maybe the top of an old cut flower holder.

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Looks like the top of an ole pot pourri box, or maybe the top of an old cut flower holder.

that would have been my guess as well

 

[IronSpike]

Re: Brass "what's it"

I'm leaning more towards stamp box lid. Seems awful small for cut flowers or potpourrie

 

[bradyboy]

Re: Brass "what's it"

ink well cover?
Brady

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Its an interesting cast bronze item but will be hard to solve. Is it painted brown or is that the color?

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Brass "what's it"

ink well cover?
Brady

I like the idea of that one, but never really seen any ink well covers before

 

[DCMatt]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Perfume button/locket/brooch cover?

DCMatt

 

[watercolor]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts on this hunk of brass/bronze.
All the ideas you've suggested sound really logical.

I think I'm leaning toward Blacksheeps idea for incense. The "flower-shaped"
opening on the cover would keep six individual sticks of incense from clumping
together when burning. . . ( but what do I know :P )

 

[mojjax]

Re: Brass "what's it"

HEY.....................................................I have one too !!!!!!!

 

[Blacksheep]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Wow, what are the chances?!

 

[watercolor]

Re: Brass "what's it"

HEY.....................................................I have one too !!!!!!!

OMG!!

Wow, what are the chances?!

Yep :P

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Brass "what's it"

This makes it a more likely chance that it can be solved. It is not one of a kind.

Mojjax, do you remember where or how you obtained this? I notice yours has some wear marks on it. I see a small marking (bottom top pic).

I like ink well cover. The pens can set in the grooves maybe?

 

[mojjax]

Re: Brass "what's it"

I've had it so long I can't remember where I got it . I can't find any markings on it .

the wear marks are curious . I always thought it was a lid to something

 

[kimsdad]

Re: Brass "what's it"

To me, it looks like a decorative end cap for a piece of square steel post stock - like to wrought iron railing, fence, trellis, or something along those lines. Both pieces have circilar marks around the opening, too. Just in different places.

What is indisputable is the fact that I think Mojjax avatar rocks!

 

[Likely Guy]

Re: Brass "what's it"

Wow, this is a weird one. They were made by two different manufacturers so they had to be fairly common.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Brass "what's it"

It has the same style as this brass stamp box but I cant fugure the rounded wear marks.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Brass "what's it"

This is an old post but I think the mystery is solved. Bradyboy guessed it but it was never confirmed.

Today Fmerg posted a round cover with the same flower center http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,310018.0.html
...and his research led to an old post resulting in an ID.

Heres the old post. INK WELL CAPS.
http://www.treasurenet.com/f/index.php/topic,32295.0.html

In July, at a old 1700's house/museum submerged and I found these heavy cast brass pieces. Not knowing what they were until today, I found out after cleaning they were ink well caps.
They are about 1 -1/2" across and you can still see some dryed ink between the decorative round knobs on the outside. On the top of the left one you can see three divots used as a small reservoir.
Also you can still see the scoring of the pen marks all throughout the top.
Earthworks....



Years ago when the server wasnt large enough and threads needed to be deleted for space, I suggested that we try to save the old "What Is It" threads. Apparently Marc decided they were worth saving and I think the database of old finds is an invaluable resource, possibly the best in the world, and here is another fine example..

Dont forget the Green Check watercolor.