Strange brass contraption?

[johnnyi]

When I dug this yesterday it was in one piece held together by a long bolt. Intact it measures roughly 4 1/2" long by 2" wide.

It seems to have once been mounted on wood, as the nut is still there along with a square washer.

The larger piece consists of the top knob and tewo heavy brass disks, the bottom one extending upwards under the lip of the top one.

On each side of the top disk there are two very small holes on each side. These holes correspond to the absense of the two little bumps cast into the bottom of the bottom disk. The fact that these holes on the top piece are aligned with the bumps on the bottom piece, this seems to suggest that the two disks did not turn against each other, but may have gone up and down.

There is a rusted gap between the top knob and the top disk, and another rusted space between the bottom disk and the base piece, suggesting that wither there might have been springs there, steel spacers, or that there might have been something else which went around the gap between the two disks forcing them farther apart originally.

Except for the bolt, all pieces are solid cast yellow brass. No idea as to the date. Thanks for your help.

 

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[kenley]

Decorative gate post ornimate.

 

[Burnt Chimney]

Finial of some sort.

 

[johnnyi]

Finial of some sort.

Thanks guys, but there's just too much going on in this thing for finial or ornament (the two corresponding small holes, the lip under the upper disk, etc. etc.) . The thing is pieced together in a specific way, and as mentioned, it appears to have been mounted on a wooden piece, probably an inch thick. . It's a close look at how the parts are fitted together which is going to be the key to figuring it out. (I tried to describe the specific things about it in the original post) Thanks though.

 

[Burnt Chimney]

If the top part with the holes and the bottom part with lip were pushed away from each other , maybe a piece of porcelin,glass or wood could have been between

BC

 

[IronSpike]

Andirons for a fireplace?

 

[johnnyi]

Andirons for a fireplace?

No, I don't think any type of finial. The base attachment is wrong (the presense of the nut suggests mounted on wood that has rotted away), and besides, this seems more like a gizmo with the two little holes (little triangular notches) on both sides of the top piece and the corresponding lack of a "nubbin" on the bottom piece.

 

[mcmich]

Just a guess but I would say it's the south end of a chandelier

 

[taz42o]

If the top part with the holes and the bottom part with lip were pushed away from each other , maybe a piece of porcelin,glass or wood could have been between

BC

Think you are right about that. That would explain the notches or holes- to keep the missing part lined up in a certain direction and the fact that the two big pieces dont really match up. Also it would take up space and hide the now exposed rusty bolt. And i think the square brass washer on bottom would be against the bolt head on the other side of what it bolted to.

 

[RickyP]

From a Headboard or Footboard.

 

[johnnyi]

I'm running the parts under electroysis, and now that the two large pieces are apart it looks as though this thing held something between them. The top uppermost piece was to scew the whole works together. I found a small brass leather grip type pully near this gizmo, and partly because of that, I'm beginning to think this might be some type of spool or bobbin holder for one of the numerous old ornate early sewing machines. I'll post pictures once I get it all cleaned and reassembled with a new bolt.

 

[DCMatt]

I'm running the parts under electroysis, and now that the two large pieces are apart it looks as though this thing held something between them. The top uppermost piece was to scew the whole works together. I found a small brass leather grip type pully near this gizmo, and partly because of that, I'm beginning to think this might be some type of spool or bobbin holder for one of the numerous old ornate early sewing machines. I'll post pictures once I get it all cleaned and reassembled with a new bolt.

Strange you should mention the sewing connection. My first thought was part of a bobbin winder, but I couldn't find any pic or info to back up my guess. I also looked at thread holders/stands but didn't see anything I thought was similar.

DCMatt

 

[Breezie]

Cool find Johnny; I'm with McM, I think it's a bottom of a chandelier. Breezie

 

[intimer]

picture one three and four shows the top (finial) part flat on one side and decorative on the other.
this may say it was up high with the top down. (so supports--maybe chandelier?).

my guess hanging outdoor lantern maybe. looks pretty heavy.

 

[Carolina Gold]

horse buggy lantern ornament?