Does anyone know what this is?

[kitagista]

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.

 

[kitagista]

Local artist says it could possibly be a Tuscarora "Whimsey Bird" design. That is not confirmed. A whimsy bird is basically Indian folk art with no particular meaning. He is checking it out. That said, it could still be anything. Its fun trying to find out.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

It's an ashtray, here's a link to another one made of silver, but about the same design and size.....

http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/pets...ost-STERLING-SILVER-Ashtray_190529653908.html

 

[High Plains Digger]

Ok, so where are you and where are the Tuscarora? The Silver one says New Mexico, but I'll bet anyone could order them customized. I am still sticking with Thunderbird, but then I have spent a lot of time in the sun. This is your brain. 0 This is you brain after metal detecting in the sun all day. -> .

 

[kitagista]

Great! Thanks! It's obviously a recent ashtray. Appreciate the help!

http://compare.ebay.com/like/280539825542?var=vl&sort=BestMatch&clk_rvr_id=241021950093

 

[High Plains Digger]

Recent is a relative term. I would guess 30's to the 50's maybe. Makes it pretty cool.

 

[High Plains Digger]

You know, the only thing that bothers me about "ashtray" is that there aren't any of the little dip things, or culverts, to rest the cigarette in. Is it an ashtray without those?? Just asking.

For those that play Balderdash, I'll bet $100 there is a name for the little divots in an ashtray.

 

[kitagista]

Yes on the relativity of "recent". My wife and family (her parents +siblings (6 of them) + Aunts Uncles etc.) lived in the house from 1948 till 2003. No one remembers seeing such an item. Anyway, I like it. BTW the Tuscaroras, a branch of the iroquois, ranged all up and down the East coast. They also had a "Thunderbird" but it was much more menacing looking than this one. This one almost looks like a dove or pigeon.

Best find at this house was a box behind bricks in the fireplace when my father-in-law remodeled a wall to add a large gun display case. The box had in it letters from the late 1700's thru the civil war. Also I found a 1797 Spanish Real (8-bit coin) under a floor board when redoing the bathroom. Not worth an awful lot but very nice. That is the sort of things I look for. I have so many real usable good shape civil war relics handed down through the family that I am not much interested in rusty guns parts etc. I do have a passion for the buttons, buckles etc.

Lets close this thread.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

feel free to send me all the rusty gun parts you want....

 

[Chocadog]

It's possibly an artificial "cadoobry" could be authentic but I doubt it, it would be very rare if it was original