Chub is right the handle to a knife spoon or some kind of cutlery
If it is a spoon/flatware handle then the end is what we would call 'dog-nose' pattern, which was generally in use between about 1695 to 1715. I have to say that the decoration looks substantially older than that though, unless this was crudely cottage-industry crafted. I've never seen a really early spoon with a handle of that shape though. I suppose it could conceivably be substantially pre-1600s and something other than a piece of flatware (mirror handle or something) but I'm more convinced it's from a spoon. Anything at all on the back? And does the 'broken' end show signs that it is actually broken rather than having been affixed to something?
Since you're querying Celtic and Roman, can we assume this was found in Europe? If so where?
And welcome.
Like your spoon bowl also posted here, the flaking leads me to believe it is pewter. Put them together and you have a spoon. As to an internet site where you can upload metal detecting finds and get answers easily, I would suggest TreasureNet.
If it is a spoon/flatware handle then the end is what we would call 'dog-nose' pattern, which was generally in use between about 1695 to 1715. I have to say that the decoration looks substantially older than that though, unless this was crudely cottage-industry crafted. I've never seen a really early spoon with a handle of that shape though. I suppose it could conceivably be substantially pre-1600s and something other than a piece of flatware (mirror handle or something) but I'm more convinced it's from a spoon. Anything at all on the back? And does the 'broken' end show signs that it is actually broken rather than having been affixed to something?
Since you're querying Celtic and Roman, can we assume this was found in Europe? If so where?
And welcome.
Based on the style of casting, the shape/design and the decoration on the piece, my feeling is that it's a later 'transitional' period piece as opposed to earlier.![]()
Stylistically, I'm thinking it possibly dates from the early to mid-1800s.
"Pewter was made in Europe, parts of Asia, and throughout North America. From the 1500s to the 1900s, three grades of pewter were used. Fine metal pewter was used for tableware objects and low-grade pewter was used for objects that were not in contact with food. Pewter, by the 19th Century, was used in large numbers for casting objects such as tankers, oil lamps and lanterns, candlesticks, tea sets, etc. Before the production of porcelains for tableware, like Limoges porcelains and Meissen porcelain, pewter was used for many types of tableware. From the late 18th Century until the early 20th Century, pewter was used to make cups, mugs, flagons, porridgers, chargers, trays, plates, platters, ash pots, etc. Pewter is a metal that is approximately between 85% and 95% tin with other metals like copper, antimony, silver or lead comprising the remaining parts. The word "pewter" comes from the term spelter often used to describe zinc and other alloys." - Dr. Lori Verderame
Dave
I am gonna have to disagree with you on this one.
I think the ops find is super rare.
1600's. IMO... if not earlier.
can you point us towards a pic of something similar?
chub