Mystery Silver and Horn Lamp?

[ninedeuce]

I was handed this item as part of an inheritance from a family member that just passed. No one knows anything about it, so I thought I would try the minds here. From the site, the stamps appear to indicate Joseph Braham, 1896 assay, sterling. The horn material may be kudu, but I am just going off internet pictures. Feel free to correct any of this with your own thoughts.

THe orb has a removable "wick" insert and is gimbaled so it is always pointed upwards, whether held or resting vertically. The horn is probably 13 inches long and the entire object is 17.5 inches long.

Questions:
What is it?
Where would I best get something like this appraised?
(admin edit - see Posting Requirements )

Personally, I find it slightly creepy and slightly cool (50/50 split).

Thanks in advance.





If for some reason the pics don't show, here are links:
http://i31.tinypic.com/20uzcl4.jpg
http://i26.tinypic.com/eg8xi1.jpg
http://i30.tinypic.com/w990uo.jpg
.

[dragonflywink]

Cool piece ~ cigar lamp/lighter, seems to me that one of my books has an illustration of a similar item, but no access to them at the moment.

~Cheryl
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[chelsea98]

its a gimbal cigar lighter with a buck horn handle, by Joseph Braham. The mount is gyroscopic so that the flame is always pointing up.

[DianaGaleM]

At 13 inches, it's much too small to be a Kudu. I have a Kudu skull, and each horn is about 3 feet long. Also, Kudo horns are not circular in cross section, they have a longitudinal ridge. This has to be one of the smaller gazelles. It's surprisingly hard to tell which kind when the horn is headless and lying on a table – I didn't realize how much I depend on seeing them paired and upright to identify them. If I had to make a guess, I'd say Springbuck, but don't hold me to it.

If you have a local natural history museum with a decent collection, you could probably get it identified there.

[Vayne]

Kind of interesting that it was left to you. I wonder if there is a story behind it that just didn't make it to you. Thanks for sharing though, it is a cool piece..not sure if I would display it since I sort of agree with the creepy vibe.