Metal Detecting Discovery - Need Help Identifying

[jerseycat10]

All,

I discovered the following piece in Southern New Jersey while metal detecting.

At the bottom, it says STERLING 925/1000 FINE, with a hallmark that almost looks like a 4 leaf clover, similar to something like the old 'Howard Sterling Company', but not 100% on that.

It is about 5 inches tall and 3 inches wide. It is very thin and light.

[MCB]

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

The picture isn't at the right angle to see but if the base is open might this have been a brush handle, the bristles and fixing material having perished away in the ground?

Mike