Top to a ?

[cudamark]

Maybe for an incense burner? Made of copper, I think, or maybe bronze? Has three holes that go through the ridge and also open up to the space inside. Heavy piece, not your typical thin, made in China junk. Found at the beach in an area producing fairly old targets lately.

 

[Indian Steve]

I'm thinking it might be a cap to a fence post or rail post.

 

[bradyboy]

I'm not seeing incense burner
this item looks like a removable cap to some sort
perhaps a finial
IMO
Brady

 

[Beans]

My first thought was the top of a weather vane.

 

[cudamark]

Why would it have vent holes if it was a fence post cap or weather vane top? I haven't seen a copper fence post cap. Did they actually make those?

 

[Icewing]

Are you sure it's copper and not brass?

 

[cudamark]

It certainly could be. It initially looked too red to be brass, but, after a bit of cleaning and scraping an edge, it looks a lot brassier.

 

[Dakota Sioux]

could be a top to a ginger jar

 

[Breezie]

Is the bottom threaded? How thick is it? Can you post a pic of the bottom/inside?

Neat find
Breezie

 

[cudamark]

Not threaded. The sides are about as thick as a copper cent. The top section is much thicker. I'll try to get a decent photo later and post it.

 

[Icewing]

If you do a search for "brass urn lid" you will see many like it however I believe what you have is some sort of finial if not for a fence it's likely for some outdoor pole. The holes I assume are to allow air to escape as it's pressed into the inside of the pipe or pole it goes on. It doesn't make sense as an incense burner to me because of where the holes are located. They wouldn't be conducive to allow for air to flow in from the bottom and out the top, and the long shank makes me think it's probably not a lid to an urn.

 

[bradyboy]

guessing the holes are for nails\
Brady

 

[Breezie]

Since it is not threaded on the inside, it could be a vintage curtain rod finial. Draperies during the Victorian period were massive, gaudy, and heavy, so a 4 inch rod final would not be out of the question.


Breezie

 

[cudamark]

Here's a couple more photos. The inside diameter is 1 1/2". Like I said before, the holes go both through the lip of the top and into the cavity inside. Although it would be a bit strange to find a fence post cap or curtain rod end at the beach, I've found stranger things there! . I figured an incense burner wan't out of place there as much as the other possibilities.

 

[Breezie]

After seeing these pics, I'm going with incense burner top.


Breezie

 

[Icewing]

I have a new theory. The lid to a copper tea kettle.