Livery button, pendant or door knob?

[pdmarks00]

Hi,

An acquaintance found this object in a gopher hole on the Hupa Reservation in California. It has a big cat face, probably a lion. It's about 2.5 inches in diameter, and about a 1/4 inch thick. It's made of copper and zinc = brass.

It seems too big to be a livery button, but I may be wrong. Pendant/pin, brooch...Any other ideas?

Thank you!

Peter

 

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[nhbenz]

Bridle rosette. The two back loop connection points are visible, so that's very likely it.

 

[pdmarks00]

That would make a lot of sense in the context, wouldn't it? Must have been horses on the reservation. I'm assuming so, but will look into it. Thank you very much for your insight!