What and who is this?

[MMstang22]

I was digging a footing in Arlington MA and came apon this along with a reed and barton spoon. I don't know what this is and tried searching who it is. He looks very familiar. It is obviously to hang something I just don't know what.

[mart]

How big is it ??  Can we see the back ??

[MMstang22]

It is about 3.5 inches tall and 2 inches wide. the back is flat with no markings on it.

[bigwull]

with it having a crown at the top,indicates that its European....

[KC]

There is a ring on the back and a hook on the bottom.  Wall hook!

[bigwull]

but its part of something else,i feel,...either that, or its a very elaborate way of making a wall hook....

[ironlord1963]

    I think I would go with the wall hook like Bigwull mentioned.

[bigwull]

    I think I would go with the wall hook like Bigwull mentioned.

Noooooo that was,nt me...that was Kid Creole....

[MMstang22]

Thank you everyone! Anybody have any ideas about the identity of the man? Maybe Francsis I or Henry VIII?

[fancypants]

Well , MMstang22 , I'd say that your item was intended for use as a 'picture-hanger' , from back in the day when high ceilings were the vogue ... homes commonly had a high cove (piece of 'trim' wood) a foot of so from the ceiling , from which framed art/pictures/etc. were hung , usually with a long chain/twisted wire/string .
The hanger was either slung over the top of the cove (kinda hooked over , held by gravity) , or a by a decorative medallion (hooked/hung on a 'standard' cove hook) .

Nowadays we kinda just try to hide such hardware , but used to be quite common to display items with the long hangings !

[bigwull]

Well , MMstang22 , I'd say that your item was intended for use as a 'picture-hanger' , from back in the day when high ceilings were the vogue ... homes commonly had a high cove (piece of 'trim' wood) a foot of so from the ceiling , from which framed art/pictures/etc. were hung , usually with a long chain/twisted wire/string .
The hanger was either slung over the top of the cove (kinda hooked over , held by gravity) , or a by a decorative medallion (hooked/hung on a 'standard' cove hook) .

Nowadays we kinda just try to hide such hardware , but used to be quite common to display items with the long hangings !

The word you are looking for is Picture Rail,...which was common in many Victorian houses, that had elaborate,plaster  Cornice,s and   Picture Rails, and more often than not these rooms would also have a Dado Rail or Chair Rail as they were sometimes called approx 3ft 6in up from the floor..on the wall.this was to stop chairs and sofa,s  touching the often very expensive wall covering....

[fancypants]

No , was known as coving (by grown-up carpenters) , bigwull .

I think the 'chair rail' you've mentioned was known as a 'top cove' , atop wainscoting .


 

[bigwull]

No , was known as coving (by grown-up carpenters) , bigwull .

I think the 'chair rail' you've mentioned was known as a 'top cove' , atop wainscoting .


 

Nooooooooo you,re wrang...see link for Chair/Dado Rail

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dado_rail
as for the picture rail thats what its called on the other side of the watter...

[fancypants]

You're fun , bigwull !

I suggest you consult with my oracle , the Squirrel of Clairity ....

 

[KC]

Sorry fancypants...this isn't a rail hanger.  My first impression was that it would be...but they had hooks on the back and not rings!  It could work as an extension from the rail hanger - however, the rosettes, cameos, etc used generally had loops on the back to slide the cords through without the hooks at the bottom,  Not to say that they didn't make some like this....but these eyes haven't seen any (which isn't saying much). See first pic!

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