Old Lead Piece

[Connan]

Found this small old square lead decorative piece .
Any Idea's of what it was off?
It probably measures about 4cm width.
Cheers

 

[aussiefarmer]

I usually have a guess , but I can't think of any purpose except trench art or someone playing around showing off their skills.

 

[Hawkear]

Are you sure it is lead? Could it be pewter? If it is pewter that could explain it’s decorative character.
A specific gravity test would reveal as pewter is around 90% tin and tin has a SG of 7.3. Whereas lead has a SG of 11.4.

 

[Greenhornet_au]

I'm leaning to Pewter also, lead is really soft and likely would be dinged around the edges.
Do the gravity test, it looks like it may have been mounted on or in something from the image of the back.

 

[Connan]

Are you sure it is lead? Could it be pewter? If it is pewter that could explain it’s decorative character.
A specific gravity test would reveal as pewter is around 90% tin and tin has a SG of 7.3. Whereas lead has a SG of 11.4.

Sorry, what is a gravity test?
It maybe pewter I'm guessing

 

[MegsyB007]

I reckon it was a brooch that's missing the back mounted pin. Maybe a ladies collar brooch? Could have looked like the samples below once upon a time.



Cheers,
Megsy

 

[OzzieAu]

Here’s a more elaborate one I found.... it’s 4 cm square, but definitely not lead, more likely pewter.
Just do a rub test against a hard steel object.. it should leave a grey streak, pewter shouldn’t.
My guess they may be decorative pieces for furniture and the like.

 

[Greenhornet_au]

Gravity test

http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/articles/specific_gravity.htm

 

[Hawkear]

Amazing. I never realised the weight of a bowl of water would increase with something suspended in it that didn’t touch the sides or bottom!
Makes the SG test so much easier.
I feel a bit silly after having spent a lifetime of trying to set things up to measure the weight of a speci while it is suspended in water rather than just the weight of the container and water actually sitting on the scales.
Would be so much easier to do out in the field.

 

[Connan]

I reckon it was a brooch that's missing the back mounted pin. Maybe a ladies collar brooch? Could have looked like the samples below once upon a time.

View attachment 3674View attachment 3675

Cheers,
Megsy

Interesting! Thank you

 

[Connan]

Here’s a more elaborate one I found.... it’s 4 cm square, but definitely not lead, more likely pewter.
Just do a rub test against a hard steel object.. it should leave a grey streak, pewter shouldn’t.
My guess they may be decorative pieces for furniture and the like.
View attachment 3687View attachment 3686

Yes I think it's the same. Thank you