re: jimbs post - A Real Stumper

[KTMRIDER]

re: jimb's post - A Real Stumper

I have seen how ya'll enjoy a challenge, so here's one for ya. I have spent countless hours of research on this over the past 10 years or so, sent pics to universities, museums and "experts" all over the world to no avail. Would love to know what it is or what it was used for. I have ideas/guesses but will hold off on these for now. It measures 48 inches wide by 18 in. tall(not counting iron hooks) by 1 1/2" thick tapering to 3/4". Please study the carvings/symbols/ideograms/etc., maybe you can identify some of these and their meanings, such as what type of cross? what type leaves/plant coming out of the urn at top, sun symbols? etc. The Pentagrams/pentacles are a given. I have compared the many carvings with coins, monies, stamps and art from all over the world and again I have my own ideas/guesses but will hold off on those too for now, don't want to influence anyone else's opinions/guesses. Maybe you know of someone/someplace that could be of help? BTW, this(researching this thing) is what brought me to this wonderful site in the first place and this site prompted me to dig out my old MD. Thanks for looking and Have fun! I plan to offer reward $$$ for positive ID of this.

 

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[KTMRIDER]

Re: re: jimb's post - A Real Stumper

Is there anything on the back of it where it would attach to something else?

No, not that i tell.

I have seen something that was somewhat similar hanging on a wall in the office of a Rabi in Israel while giving a talk on T.V. Must have been a breast plate. However are you sure that it is right side up. Perhaps the hooks are to hang it from. In which case the star then becomes a pentagram.

I am sure that it is right side up because of the carvings, such as the urns. A pentagram is a pentagram, inside a circle it is referred to as a pentacle. One point up is good, 2 points up usually represents evil, a devil worshiper would hang a pentagram upside down(2 points up). There is a good explanation of the pentagram on Wiki.
I have considered that the pegged in fibers on the top edge(mentioned earlier and shown in one of the pics and thought to be horse hair or more than likely, hemp) were longer and could possibly have all went to a central ring? or seperately? to attach it to something else instead of being merely tassels. I can't imagine why these would be there as they are, I feel that they were longer and had been cut off at some point in time.

I think you should have it checked out by the History Detectives on PBS .

Good suggestion. I had thought of this but I got the impression(not sure though) that they are only concerned with U.S. items and my feeling is that this thing is from elsewhere, please correct me if I'm wrong. Worth a try(an email or call) though.

 

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