✅ SOLVED This one's got me stumped...

[Bucket Lister]

Found on my 1850 farmhouse permission, 6" deep in the back yard, 50 feet from the house.

At first I thought it was copper; now I'm thinking tin, but IDK...

It's been deformed (squished together) at the "top", but only slightly.

I believe the little studs around the "base" had a purpose, though IDK what...

Lens wasn't any help.

 

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[Gene Mean]

Oil lamp wick slide/raiser

 

[Bucket Lister]

Oil lamp wick slide/raiser

Thanks for the clue. Searching oil lamp parts, most sources called it a burner or burner cover.

Looking at comparative sizes, I'm thinking this came from a pretty BIG lamp; it'll take 1¼" wide wick. It also seems to be an unusual shape--most appear round.

I'm also rethinking material again--brass(?)

Come to think of it, I think there was a piece of glass in the same hole. Now I'm wondering if it weren't more of the lamp. I did re-check the hole, plug, and environs around the hole several times (my current SOP). Nothing further.