Does anyone know what this is?

kitagista · Jun 14, 2011

I found this in Eastern VA. Is it an old artifact or something recent? The birds wings are bent. THis is exactly how it came out of the ground beside a house which was built in 1781.

NolanTheExplorer · Jun 14, 2011

Take a shot of the other side if you can

NOLA_Ken · Jun 14, 2011

looks like a southwest themed souvenir ashtray

Chug And Red · Jun 14, 2011

That's Great looking!!! can't wait to see what It Is Until i looked at the Whole Item I did not see the Bird image!!! HH Chug

West Jersey Detecting · Jun 14, 2011

NOLA_Ken said:
looks like a southwest themed souvenir ashtray

Curious The George · Jun 14, 2011

How big is it? Size of a quarter or a dinner plate?

Breezie · Jun 14, 2011

Welcome to the forum! We do need the size to determine what it is. How deep/recessed is the center area?Neat find, Breezie

MUD(S.W.A.T) · Jun 14, 2011

Maybe a face powder compact ??

Just a guess !! :dontknow:

Keep @ it and HH !!

kitagista · Jun 15, 2011

Thanks for the comments. The pictures show both sides. Its too small and shallow for an ashtray. It is pure copper. From top of head to tail is 3 inches. It is 1/4 inch deep. The recessed part is 2 inches in diameter. I was thinking it could be from the front of a head band? Or it could be from a childs toy in the 50's. I also know that the local Indian tribes made a lot of copper ornaments in the late 1700's. Of course I am only guessing.

DMN · Jun 15, 2011

Possibly a coaster?

N.J.THer · Jun 15, 2011

DMN said:
Possibly a coaster?

The coaster theory sounds good.

Good luck on IDing.

NJ

wwwtimmcp · Jun 15, 2011

too small for a coaster, I think the center held a compass, besides you would not want a raised stamping on the bottom of a coaster.

kitagista · Jun 15, 2011

The center does not spin. For now I am thinking coaster.

N.J.THer · Jun 15, 2011

wwwtimmcp said:
too small for a coaster, I think the center held a compass, besides you would not want a raised stamping on the bottom of a coaster.

You maybe right about the size...they are usually around 3" in the center and this is only 2". They made all sorts of different metal stamped coasters usually in aluminum but I have seen other metals though. A modern day beer bottle would most likely fit into a 2" coaster...ahhh beeerrrr!!!

NJ

drgeorge · Jun 15, 2011

Interesting! It seems like Indian folkart..... :dontknow:

MUD(S.W.A.T) · Jun 15, 2011

drgeorge said:
Interesting! It seems like Indian folkart.....

It dose or maybe Mexican.... :icon_scratch:

I hope we can find out what it is....??

Cool find !! :icon_thumleft:

Keep @ it and HH !!

steelheadwill · Jun 15, 2011

Cool item.
American Folk Art Theme?

High Plains Digger · Jun 15, 2011

Thunderbird. Definately Southwest.

kitagista · Jun 16, 2011

Attached is a new photo. Note this object is way too small to be a coaster. I am checking with the local Tuscarora tribe and the local history museum on the design. For now I am leaning toward headress ornament.

treasurehound · Jun 16, 2011

The middle picture seems to be the right side up with all the detail. Appears to have a southwest theme. Ashtray maybe? I don't see any Boy Scout emblems so rules that out. Boy Scouts use a lot of native american themes. Interesting. I can't wait til some identifies it. Congrats on a curious piece.