Mystery metal item, any thoughts?

Could not leave this for .25, even though I had no idea what it was.

Has a few spots of oxidation or something (photo 3). I *think* this is brass, would that be consistent with brass?

Quite heavy at 1 lb 3 oz and only 4" tall.

Any ideas what this is? Thanks.

 

It looks like brass from here and the last I heard brass scraps at a buck a pound, so you're already ahead. It looks like a seriously modernist Christmas tree figurine but I doubt that's what it is. Maybe @springfld.arsenal recognizes it; I keep thinking it's some sort of exotic drill bit.

 

a chess piece...on LSD !!!

 

Looks to me like someone, possibly in a machine shop, was having a bit of fun making a paperweight. Looks to be braze-welded and made to appear as though the cone penetrates all discs.

 

Are those a couple of steel screws showing on the top surface? I’ll ask some machinists to take a look, maybe this was a well-known apprentice exercise at some point in history.

 

Modernist candle stick?

 

No steel screws, just two spots of oxidation on the top.

DH says, "If its soldered, it's done very well."

I was thinking might have been a paperweight/craft from some bored machinist.

When I checked out from the sale (they had to write down what it was...) I said, "just put down "bill holder". Although the spike is a bit short for that in real life.

It's quite heavy. The spike is off center so I don't think candle holder, but who knows. It's heavy enough so support it.

Good suggestions so far.

 

It would make a heckuva door stop too, just don't trip on it!

 

That's ART, Baby!!!!!

 

at the first sight i thought it was coins glued together but it's not,haha..i think it's a paperweight

 

A spiral staircase for ants.

 

That one hadn't occurred to me, lol!

 

Perhaps it is used in mining.