Featured Metal Detecting Lot:The Ancient?

Being bored I branched out and bought a metal detecting lot from eBay.
There are several items of interest in amongst the unidentifiable scrap including this pendant. I know NOTHING about properly old stuff or if this is lying to me and it just looks elderly as it’s been lying in the mud for donkeys years.
What do you think? Trash or treasure?
It’s quite heavy for its size. Once I gently removed the mud I found there is an 8 point star on the front with either inlaid blue enamel or bits of blue gem, sadly some is missing.
I’ll post the rest of the scrap in different threads
Thanks for looking

 

You could try your local museum as I did with Dads finds or there are detectorists forums. Looks more like treasure to me, maybe gilt bronze??

 

Or blue glass?
It looks very interesting. I don't think it is jewellery (for humans), but maybe a horse harness pendant?

 

Harness pendants galore, maybe something like your treasure is there too:

https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/q/harness+pendant

 

Good eyes INH, but on this occasion, nothing there just scratches.

Good idea, I’ll have a look. Thankyou.

Good plan.
We have an excellent museum in Cirencester. Not sure if they are working at the moment but there is no hurry.

Yes, could be.

 

Try emailing the Portable Antiquities Service. That does look bronze to me, too. How big is it?

 

Strange construction for something that might be "old",the patina also looks like it could have been applied.

 

Great idea about the PAS!

 

In what way strange?
“Old” is a relative term isn’t it!

 

The holes in the back to let gas release when soldering the pieces together. Using compressed gas heats the parts fast and can cause the piece to explode. Using a breath blow pipe would heat slowly and not have gas expansion.It's hard to tell how old it is 50-100 years or older.

 

The PAS are a great bunch.

 

NOT much I could do with it, that's for sure!!!!

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I am a keen detectorist and that’s unlike anything I’ve seen. Was it from a UK seller?

 

This was wrong so removed to avoid confusion,

 

I’ve asked on a detecting forum for you.

 

If you have never seen a hand blowpipe,here is a short video.

 

Initial comments on forum suggest a more modern date (1800-1900) but I will keep you posted on any further identification.

 

Yes a UK seller. Just said found in parkland in Bristol area.

I’ve just bought my OH a Garrett AT Max for his 50th!.
So far he has found a button.........
Are you UK John? If so is there a good member group for him to join?

Thankyou

 

I'm now searching metal detecting lots on Ebay. I'm doomed.