What is this Metal Spiral Thing?

This is a metal spiral thing I purchased awhile back from a thrift store. It's about 6 1/2" wide and the spirals are about 3" in diameter. It's not magnetic and it weighs about 11 ounces. I thought a coaster, art, a part of something?

I did an image search and it resembles a Spectacle Fibula. I think I may have tried to find it before. I'm not really sure what it is. Anyone know what it is? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

Trivet?

 

that's what it resembles.....just not old and not a brooch..!
Art , for arts sake...?

 

I thought trivet too but the center "S" section is thicker than the two 3" spirals so a pan or pot would rock on it.

It does look like art related to me but I don't know. There are no maker marks on it.

 

I was suggesting a Spectacle Fibula, like you said....4 the design..

Aaron posted just before me...

I'd think it would make a good double coaster too !

 

the dull silver looks aluminum.....is it?
or is it some other metal...

 

Handmade aluminum art ?

 

It certainly does, a replica.

 

Dunno what it is but I don’t have one yet, so if’n Ya decide to sell it or gift it, lemme know.

-Spring

Keeper,
The Hoarditorium

 

I don't think it's aluminum, it's way too heavy to be that. It weighs 11 ounces.

The metal is nicely tapered from the larger "S" area to the spiral centers and the metal is not hollow, it's solid.

The spiral seams are soldered or welded together so it's not just some random metal twisted into a shape without a lot of work going into it.

 

Looks like a relative of the Batak (Indonesia) padung-padung headress ornament/earrings:



http://www.wallacetribal.com/headdress-ornamentearring-padung-padung/

 

it's all relative..............Bawhahaha!!!!!!!!!

 

And the plot thickens...

 

I still like it. The material and workmanship are certainly reminiscent of that headdress ornament.

 

Don't know what it is, but I think it's very well done. It's not just a coiled bar; it has an elegant and very well controlled taper.

 

Maybe nickel silver?

 

Found it! A Hmong (Miao) piece used to secure a woman's apron.

http://londoncoin.com/item/miao-back-ornament/#sthash.TOoBYd52.dpbs

Haven't found a picture of it in use yet.

 

well done 2mb.......good find !!!!

 

Here is a good short article from the Bowers Museum explaining them:

Spun Silver: Apron Counterweights of the Dong and Miao https://www.bowers.org/index.php/co...ver-apron-counterweights-of-the-dong-and-miao

 

Oh My Goodness! Double Kudos and many thanks to 2manybooks for finding this, Very Good Job! It's unbelievable, you just never know sometimes what something is and who would have guessed a silver apron counterweight with the cycle of life spiral symbol?!