Odd ornate brass item from colonial site It

[oxbowbarefoot]

Found this last weekend at a colonial site I regularly hunt. Anyone have a clue what it is? It looks like it would have been affixed to leather. Unfortunately it's bent pretty bad.

 

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[BagLady]

But it's pretty cool. Is that a turtle head w/four feet?

 

[CRUSADER]

Not seen that design, but its most likely a 19th C horse harness mount.

 

[villagenut]

Reminds me of the handle portion of an old Victorian letter opener. Here is one that I found a long time ago. It is pewter but the reverse side was left open for an insert. Mine has no insert anymore, but the fronts are an identical floral design. Yours just reminded me of this one. Is there part of yours that looks like it had a small blade broken off?

 

[CTwoods]

I don't know it's purpose, but based on casting technology available by the year 1800, I believe it might be earlier than 1800. The back shows crude casting/ imperfections not seen on 1800 items here in Northeast cellars, unless the item was a piece not used as décor. (I realize that is the hidden side) Some 1800s cast iron implements/tools will show those flaws on hidden areas.


Is there something to decode in the center emblem? Seems it possibly is not just a decorative center. The center does not look symmetrical. IMO

 

[nhbenz]

It looks to me like the center has something close to W.C. & Co, with the W and C overlapped in the center, the "&" to the left of the letters, and the "Co." to the right. I'm pretty sure on the W, but not so much on what the letter beneath it is. Maybe a starting point that a fresh set of eyes can make some sense of?

 

[Icewing]

Add some kind of oil to it to bring out the details. Pretty much any will do.
I prefer mineral oil over olive oil because it's clear and won't darken the metal itself, and it's great for protecting metals from further corrosion.

 

[CRUSADER]

It looks to me like the center has something close to W.C. & Co, with the W and C overlapped in the center, the "&" to the left of the letters, and the "Co." to the right. I'm pretty sure on the W, but not so much on what the letter beneath it is. Maybe a starting point that a fresh set of eyes can make some sense of?

Might be the maker of a horse saddler??