What is this???

[Bonaro]

I found this while dredging for gold on Blewett pass in Washington State. It was in the vicinity of a mill and small townsite and the level of creekbed that it came from gave up a lot of square nails. I presume that that would date this before 1920 when the mill was burned and pushed into the creek to make way for the road. Others have told me that it may be decoration from a Hudson Bay Company trading chest but it looks like a hairpiece to me. It is made from cast silver mounted on a copper plate.
Any ideas

Thanks, Dan

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[Ocean7]

looks like a decoration that when on a wooden box - probably the top. See that little tag sticking out at the bottom with the perfect circular hole in it? That appears to be where a small nail or screw was being used to attach it. But I'm just guessing based on what i see - it could be anything.

Nice find and as with many old pieces - the devil is in the details of finding out what the heck you've found! looks Victorian era for sure.

 

[lab rat]

My guess would be a cover plate from a belt buckle. ...just a guess.

 

[southern gent]

Looks like the backing of a hair brush. I've seen similar brush and mirror covers. Nice find! HH.

 

[treaser hunta]

it might be a wall ornament!

 

[Emperor Findus Cladius]

One other possibility might be a hair piece for a woman. Just a possibility.

 

[Boardwalker]

Judging by the size - appears to be about 2 x 2.5" or maybe slightly larger - and the soft materials (copper and silver), the piece would seem to be decorative, and not intended to be exposed to much heavy hand use or contact with other objects. These materials could also stand little heat, so mounting plate for any kind of machinery is probably out.
These factors would indicate decorative wear, such as an adornment in the hair. However, the little fastening flange at the bottom is troubling and would seem to refute that argument, unless there was a clip on the back. I tend to agree with the notion that it is a decorative fixture on a hair brush or some such item. The hole is so nicely drilled as to eliminate punching and suggests drilling or machining of some kind. The edge of the copper backing is worn and ragged and another bracket may have broken off. The silversmithing is ornate and seems old world in origin. Interesting piece for sure.

Boardwalker