Has anyone any idea of what this is used for? It is cast iron. My wife said it could be a coffin handle!
I looked up a lot of handles that are used for coffins and this is not the correct style at all. All these handles will lay flat against the coffin. However, if you look at old antique gate handles that pulled open the large cast-iron gates you will see this style handle among them. I checked on door handles and this one is way too large for this. it would not be used on a ship either because it is not the style handle that would fit on a boat or old ship. The only thing I can find that this would actually fit on and work with is the very large old cast iron gates that were installed to protect the property.
At first glance, I thought it might be a boot scraper but I do not believe it is the correct shape (round handle?) for that.
This appears to be a handle that was screwed into something like a box or piece of equipment as the handle would stand straight up and I do not believe anyone would make a handle to a gate or door that stood straight out as it could be dangerous and even difficult to open unless it was turned sideways (up and down vertically) which could be the case.
If you will join Reddit and post your picture I feel sure you will have an answer within 48 hours. Reddit is not very easy for a beginner to know just how and where to post but if you join and ask for help from an administrator, I think you will find an answer.
www.reddit.com/
I agree with poehere, it does look like an antique gate handle...either cast iron or wrought iron, I'm not sure which. It is very nice looking, and because of the decoration on it, it appears it would have been mounted horizontally so the "banner drape" hung the correct way.
Your wife gets another vote, yes!
This appears to be a casket handle from someone or there family that was wealthy . The more ornate the
handle the more expensive .
My opinion is it is a door knocker missing the back.
It is lovely.
You could try putting on a Facebook group I belong to called identify my antiques and see if one of my guru friends there knows!!
Thanks for sharing! I love a mystery!!
