Can anyone identify this object

[MagicNC]

I was in Charlottesville, VA and running on a trail in the woods.  I tripped over an object and uncovered the attached piece.  It's heavy metal and the center is hollow.  I was thinking it may be a post top for a hitching post.  anyone venture a guess?  Has anyone seen anything like this before.

[D&b antiques]

It looks to be the top of a fancy hitching post. if you have access to a metal detector it might pay to search the area in and all metal mode. some time studying, the area can tell you some thing about the area.


Flowering tree's. broken glass etc.

[talesofthesevenseas]

That's really cool. It would be interesting if you could find out what had been on or near that site. I bet D&B is right, if that was out there, there is likely to be more.

*Waves "Hi" to D&B!* 

[KC]

I don't know why...but it makes me think of the top to a well - capped off.

[Chinese Antique Furniture]

Right on, KC.  Also a doorstop?  Hitching post does seem to make the most sense, but sure would be nice to find some confirming evidence.

[cogar]

How about a "top" for a wrought iron gate or fence post?

[KC]

MagicNC....are there any threads or grooves inside of the mouth of it?

Also, the "little horns/nubs" on the loops, are they hollow or have an opening?

[MagicNC]

There doesn't appear to be any threads in the opening.  There may be a hole for a set screw near the opening lip.  the little knobs don't appear to have holes in them.  I believe this is intricately decorated, but the rust is obscuring the design.  Suggested for cleaning this object?

[Blonde1]

Judging the size and were you found it I say a Wagon wheel snow breaker, sort of like the semi trucks today have, breaks up the snow so it doesn't pack onto the wheels. Montana had lots of them, they were usually forged of iron and quickly so like snow flakes no two are alike.   This is just my opinion I'm not an expert but I see similar things like it at old farm auctions here.  Home made fence post tampers look similar also but that would make it newer.  If there was a sign of old fencing around the trail you found it on or the trail was wide enough for house and carrage could give a better clue.   

[MagicNC]

I've been back to the area and can find no evidence of fence lines.  The area is heavily wooded and is a small running trail surrounding Charlottesville, VA. 

How can I clean it?

[talesofthesevenseas]

Here's an article on removing rust from antique objects. It suggests different techniques for varying degrees of oxidation.

http://www.bafra.org.uk/html_pages/articles_surfacemetalwork.html

[KC]

My first inclination is still the top to a well to cap it off (2 handles for twisting).

However, it is still very feasible to be the top to a fancy hitching post.
http://www.figuralcastiron.org/hitchingposts.html