Ornate copper whatsit

[cudamark]

When I found it, it was folded in half. At first I thought it was a bezel or escutcheon plate for a door knob. However, It doesn't have any through holes in it at all. None to mount it, and none for a knob axle or lock. Maybe a fancy glue-on top for a jewelry box? It's completely flat on the back. I don't know what might have been mounted in the 3 big cavities.....if anything. Maybe a stone or other bauble? Any ideas?

 

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[old digger]

Looks like an old door knob esctcheon.

 

[cudamark]

As per my description, there are no holes going through that plate, or anything strong enough to hold a door knob as a simple handle.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Maybe part of a brush. If you look at Victorian brush sets they had a brush without a handle and some brush sets had the back held in with a rim versus a one piece style brush......

Just thinking aloud!

 

[pepperj]

Not sure really without looking at he back.
First thoughts were a hair barrette

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I realize you said the back was smooth Mark, but could you post a pic of the piece anyway.
It may help us to identify what it was attached to or if it was part of something.
It looks to have had either semiprecious stones or glass gems set in the face.

My thought is that it dates to the Art Nouveau Period and was likely decoration from either a jewelry or dressing table box. This style was most popular between 1890 and 1910. It was a reaction against the academic art, eclecticism and historicism of 19th-century architecture and decoration. It was often inspired by natural forms such as the sinuous curves of plants and flowers.

Dave

 

[ARC]

Hair barrette.

These were also glued to buckle tops for womens belts.

 

[Machkin]

Cuff bracelet?

 

[cudamark]

Here's a photo of the back. Like I said, it's smooth with no attaching points or mounting holes. It now has a crack which happened when I straightened it.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Here's a photo of the back. Like I said, it's smooth with no attaching points or mounting holes. It now has a crack which happened when I straightened it.

Thanks for the follow up pic Mark.
I have to agree with ARC, that this piece looks like it was probably glued to something, what that object was you'll likely never know.

If it were mine, I'd lightly tumble it for a few hours in pea gravel and dish soap to bring the details.
Here's a link to some brass relics that I tumbled a few years ago... http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/restoration-projects/600862-tumbled-finds-2018-a.html
These finds were tumbled for a few days, but yours would only need to be done for a few hours.

It's a nice find and I'd be happy to tumble it for you.
Dave