What’s this relic?

[Erik in NJ]

Looked cool coming out of the ground. But not sure it’s terribly old. Dug at 1700s house. Looks like arms may have swung out though they are rounded over inside the thing. it’s 1-1/4 in height. Rang up as 17 on the new Minelab Equinox 800.

Nothing deeper than 6” with it yet! Should I go back to CTX?

Thx for your thoughts on the relic and the machine.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Erik in NJ]

OK the more I look at this thing the more I am convinced that those arms pivot up and arc out. The hidden ends are nicely rounded and are the right shape for two fingers. Might it be a small fixed corkscrew/cork-pull where the actual screw has broken off. Anyone ever seen a similar style? The bottom though does have a lip that has no cutout so I'm not 100% that a screw protruded out from the bottom. The two arms I'm sure were finger pulls.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Here are some more pics of the bottom view.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Here’s the view from the top which does have a cutout for the finial.

 

[creskol]

I found one similar in nature to the one you found. After much cleaning and prolonged soaking in Marvel Mystery Oil, on mine, if you squeeze the arms inwards, the scroll portion moves upwards. There are also tiny "hinge like" attachments at the bottom, as though something else was attached to it. This one has remained a mystery to me as well.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Thanks for the second posting of pics Eric, the first set were challenging to decipher.
My first though was it may have been attached to the top of a sheet music stand to hold the music or from a piano or an organ.

I did some research, but couldn't find anything similar.

Dave

 

[Erik in NJ]

So it appears that we found the same item! Even though mine is bent, I can squeeze the arms in a bit and I see the finial rising! I can still clean mine more as there is still dirt lodged in it. Thanks for your post

Is Marvel Mystery Oil good? Love the name Where can I pick up a bottle?

I found one similar in nature to the one you found. After much cleaning and prolonged soaking in Marvel Mystery Oil, on mine, if you squeeze the arms inwards, the scroll portion moves upwards. There are also tiny "hinge like" attachments at the bottom, as though something else was attached to it. This one has remained a mystery to me as well.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi Dave!

Funny I had the same thought too at first re sheet music. Creskol above noted that if you squeeze the arms in the top rises and indeed the finial does on mine too (at least a bit being bent)! Interesting. Only issue I see with sheet music is it's only about 1-1/2" square so maybe used on a wind instrument like a clarinet if it's music related for a very small sheet?

If it's not music related what utility could the center post raising about 1" be? Also why the effort into so nicely rounding the end of the arms that are hidden inside? With the posting of Creskol's very similar item I'm convinced we'll unravel this one. Thanks for your efforts.

Thanks for the second posting of pics Eric, the first set were challenging to decipher.
My first though was it may have been attached to the top of a sheet music stand to hold the music or from a piano or an organ.

I did some research, but couldn't find anything similar.

Dave

 

[Roger Mn.]

It looks like a clarinet marching lyre to hold sheet music well marching in a band.
https://www.amazon.com/Clarinet-Marching-Lyre-Holder-Instrument/dp/B07X8QLZ5N?tag=treasurenet01-20

 

[fyrffytr1]

Are both piece's arms spring loaded. Could they be part of a latch for something like a tea caddy or salt/sugar box?

 

[Erik in NJ]

Well, I also thought it might hold music but it's quite small for that and has no obvious attachment point and nothing to hold a sheet of music in place. It's also a bit heavy for simply holding a sheet of paper, but who knows. I have found something like you referenced once along with a broken piece of an instrument. This item strikes me as unrelated.

It looks like a clarinet marching lyre to hold sheet music well marching in a band.
https://www.amazon.com/Clarinet-Marching-Lyre-Holder-Instrument/dp/B07X8QLZ5N?tag=treasurenet01-20