Posted 6 years ago
Furee65
(31 items)
This is a unique item I found this weekend at a local estate sale that was locked away inside of an old trunk for many years. If anyone has any idea what this mystery item is I would love to know. It measures about 5" inches long by about
It's quite beautiful, whatever it is. I have never seen such a thing but something comes to mind that may serve as an area of further research if no one can positively identify it.
In the 18th & 19th centuries carriage doors did not have handles on the outside - to prevent the rabble from pestering the riders therein. Handles were placed on the inside, but to open the doors from the outside required a T-shaped "key" which had a tapered square end similar to the ends on your item. Very old folding knives called "coachman's" knives contained a similar, fold-out tool so the coach driver could open the doors.
Hey there. This is a Tibetan "vajra" or "drone" It looks to be cast bronze with remnants of cold gold gilding. These were ritual objects. It probable has value over 100.00 or so. I would guess around 18th or 19th century. I would have to see in person to say for sure. You could sell it on eBay.
Thanks, peterydeen! I was just taking a W.A.G. :-)