Really, someone tell me what the heck this thing is!
The object was excavated from a pre-civil war plantation site in Georgia between 1950-1960. It was found over eight feet straight down in the ground.
Upon precursory appraisal, the object was believed to be at a minimum of 200 years old due to the logistics of the dig site. All examiners agree the object is certianly not of American construction or origin due to the forging techniques, thus it has definitely been imported.
Simple metallurgical analysis by drilling a test sample performed before my acquisition yielded the object is comprised entirely of hand-hammered bronze. The once independent pieces have been crudely “soldered” to the main body with a comparatively early forging process.
Upon later further examination by a moderately qualified expert, the object was estimated as possibly being a museum quality piece (2000+ years old?!) given the condition and forging techniques.
The object has
not been before an accredited archeological review panel, though that will be the next step in determining the age of the potential artifact.
However, one question remains, what is it? None I have spoken with seem to know the purpose of this artifact, its original origins, or the meaning of the cat-like symbol appearing on what I will term the “handle.”
Egyptian mythology speaks of cat gods, one of the rare few cultures to pay tribute to the cat, though none to date can confirm this to be an Egyptian artifact.
Approximate dimensions: 10.5" long, 4.5" tall, 4.5" wide
Before someone asks, the small rubber feet have been lightly applied so as to not scratch my display table.
Robert Richmond