What is this?

[jenva]

Found this little item the first time using our metal detector. It was found just out of Dunolly vic, no idea what it is. Anyone have a clue what this could be, hubby and I quite like this little trinket, we hope it is our good luck piece to finding bigger and better things.

 

[jenva]

 

[treasureman]

any markings patterns on it?
looks intrigueing

 

[jenva]

Hello Treasureman. I think there is ivy on one side and grapes on the other. It appears to be hollow and I think it is suppose to connect into something by means of that little ball at the end. It is a curious little piece and I hope someone can tell me what it might be.

 

[aussiefarmer]

Looks like an old stove handle is there and signs it has broke off on the flat end ?

 

[jenva]

Aussiefarmer, hmm hard to say, the flat end appears to be smooth. We have thought it being all sorts of things from handles to something of a pistol.

 

[aussiefarmer]

is it solid cast iron or hollow molded metal ?

 

[Sandta]

Im curious

 

[jenva]

I think it is moulded metal and it it very light to hold. It has been crushed at some stage, which you can see sort of in the second pic I posted.

 

[aussiefarmer]

Hollow hey, I wonder if the blunt end is a cap and it could be a powder vessel for a rifle or pistol or maybe a snuff box , neither go with the food theme from decals though.

 

[jenva]

Aussiefarmer, yes it is the food engravings that has put a spanner in the works. Others we have showed this too have wondered about it being a powder vessel, but grapes and Ivy?

 

[rocketaroo]

sort of looks asian, reminds me of a flask as well. Grapes, and ivy https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenocissus_tricuspidata

 

[treasureman]

it almost looks like the shape of an old pistol. the handle. a very old one.
maybe once was an ornament of an old pistol. but thats only a stab

 

[rocketaroo]

it almost looks like the shape of an old pistol. the handle. a very old one.
maybe once was an ornament of an old pistol. but thats only a stabhttps://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/3793/1440130658_bv03435.png

I want to dig that!

 

[treasureman]

dont we all

 

[treasureman]

treasureman be on the hunt for one

 

[nucopia]

could it be a chinese medicine horn ?
The pattern looks more from pitting but to me some other raised areas makes it look asian

 

[nucopia]

Could it also be the leg section of toy tin elephant ?

 

[Sandta]

How about a segment of a necklace

 

[jenva]

Could it also be the leg section of toy tin elephant ?

oohhhhhhh that could be very possible. Where this was found was known to have Chinese miners there, I wonder if it could have been a Chinese child's toy? That suggestion is the best yet because of the quality (or lack of) the metal. Now I shall go and see if I can hunt down some old images of toy elephants. Thank you Nucopia, and thanks to everyone else that has an idea about this little curiosity.