Definately not a buckle by the look at the back, and by the brass being so thin.
Any information maybe to as where you found it; homesite, public park, etc.? Any other finds that you made at that site that can help date this one?
P.S.: I was going to say that it looks 'buckshot', but the shot seemed to completely and purposefully avoid the swan. This makes me think that those holes we're nail holes and that this piece was part of a larger piece of furniture. Just guessing on that though. Are the edges flat, or cupped so that they could encapsulate the end of a piece of furniture (chair) or such?