I think I know what this is but I am not really sure.

[BioProfessor]

This item came out of one of the fields I am hunting in the Netherlands. The ground is old so this could be old or not so old.

It is silver and hand chased to put the designs in it. The prominent design is a fish. It does not seem to be the fish used as a religious symbol as it had a closed tail.

It is smashed up a bit and when I first looked at it, I though it was a piece of something. Part of a knife handle perhaps. But it is complete except for a pin that would have gone through what looks on first glance to be a hinge on the bottom. The "fin" that sticks out should be folded back into the thing so it would be relatively smooth on the outside.

The top is scalloped. The bottom has a cover that has an opening in the center and a place where a pin was attached. On the boy, you can see a small mark where the "keeper" for the pin would have been. There was no solder used in the construction and that is why I think the keeper was lost. The first picture shows a mark where I think the keeper would have been.

It is about 3cm long and 1cm wide.

I think it is a "Posie holder" from about the 18th century. Any agreement or better ideas?

Thanks for the help.

Daryl

 

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[Lucas]

Engraving is "rocker engraving." Greek Key motif is typical of the classical revival, late 18th c. onwards. Fish is a Christian motif.

 

[woody50]

Surprised that there are not many responces to this post Daryl. You want me to put the find on a Dutch forum?

 

[BioProfessor]

Sure. Maybe it is more common on that side of the pond.

As far as the fish being a Christian symbol, that's what I thought until I did some research. It seems that the Christian fish has an "open" tail. The story goes that one Christian person would make the "arc" to make half the fish symbol and a second Christian would wake the reverse "arc" and it would look like a fish but the end line of the tail was not there. Since this one has the closed tail, I am not convinced it is a Christian symbol.

I have not found anything that makes me think it is not a "Posey Holder" You can see where the piece that held the pin was attached and there are some examples of small things like this that would attach to your clothes and hold a fragrant flower or herb to help with the stench of open sewers in the streets.

Daryl

 

[woody50]

Sure. Maybe it is more common on that side of the pond.
OK, will get the photos and do that, I'll let you know what turns up.
As far as the fish being a Christian symbol, that's what I thought until I did some research. It seems that the Christian fish has an "open" tail. The story goes that one Christian person would make the "arc" to make half the fish symbol and a second Christian would wake the reverse "arc" and it would look like a fish but the end line of the tail was not there. Since this one has the closed tail, I am not convinced it is a Christian symbol.

I have not found anything that makes me think it is not a "Posey Holder" You can see where the piece that held the pin was attached and there are some examples of small things like this that would attach to your clothes and hold a fragrant flower or herb to help with the stench of open sewers in the streets.

Daryl

I guess that is what those other tin things could be called too ("Posey Holder") in that other post, but those are real plain stuff then not fancy. (Topic reply: Any chance on an id of these pewter finds?) http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,341840.0.html

 

[BioProfessor]

That's possible. Mine has an open bottom so the stem can stick though. The others have closed bottoms so they could hold a bit of water. Having a hole to tie string or something would put them around the neck. So maybe earlier and cruder as you say.

Daryl

 

[IronSpike]

I tend to agree with Woody on the tussie mussie. The buttom half could have been open or with other attachment now missing. Cool find Daryl