What is this little relic?

[thrillathahunt]

I found this at an old home site. It is the size of a quarter. Probably made of zinc? It has a little hook in the middle and glass (broken).

 

[intimer]

that, what appears to be a taped on 'nail', sure is familiar.
votive candle?

 

[Blind.In.Texas]

Here's a picture from google images:

That's creepy.

 

[CRUSADER]

I've been wondering why you US call things like this a Relic?

Below from Wikipedia:

A relic is an object or a personal item of religious significance. Relic is also the term for something that has survived the passage of time, especially an object or custom whose original culture has disappeared, but also an object cherished for historical or memorial value (such as a keepsake or heirloom).

Our closest parallel as we only use relic when referring to things like religious Icon's, is Artifact/artefact (or the made up word partifact meaning a broken piece). However, we still wouldn't use this term for that bottle top thing.

Can you explain to a dumb Brit?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I've been wondering why you US call things like this a Relic?

Below from Wikipedia:

A relic is an object or a personal item of religious significance. Relic is also the term for something that has survived the passage of time, especially an object or custom whose original culture has disappeared, but also an object cherished for historical or memorial value (such as a keepsake or heirloom).

Our closest parallel as we only use relic when referring to things like religious Icon's, is Artifact/artefact (or the made up word partifact meaning a broken piece). However, we still wouldn't use this term for that bottle top thing.

Can you explain to a dumb Brit?

I think a 50 year old compass may qualify here as a relic. Ill have to research the word. In this country an automobile over 20 years old is officially an antique..

I looked up the word and it appears you are correct Crusader. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relic
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relic

I think "artifact" would have been more appropriate.

 

[thrillathahunt]

One of the definitions from Latin is - reliquiue or reliquia "to leave behind"

The term relic has many applications.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

One of the definitions from Latin is - reliquiue or reliquia "to leave behind"

The term relic has many applications.

I changed my mind; relic is appropriate. It was in my own link relic definition: "a trace of some past" or a "remnant left after decay" http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relic

3 : a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance
4 : a trace of some past or outmoded practice, custom, or belief

 

[intimer]

age is ambiguous