I think you might have a "seal-top spoon". anything on the "seal" up on the top?? some of these are very early and have been reproduced. i know very little about the subject, hopefully another member will be able to provide some more info
appears to be an amulet pendant from tuareg africa would be my guess, most likely is silver (have you tested it) look to be from late 20thcentury, hope this is some help at least a direction to go for your research,
legrandmogol, Thank you so much for taking the time and thought to help. I also believe it is the base of a reliquary and I would be very interested to learn the maker and time period of the object. It does indeed appear much older then the 19th century to me but I have not handled as many old objec...
came across this unusual piece of silver this past weekend. It looks like the base off something from medieval Hungary. (or something in that style although this has lots of age)chalice? reliquary? cross??? ....or maby just a really good ashtray :) the 'cover' can be pinned into place in the 4 corne...