maybe some sort of stap or belt attachment it is hinged and there looks to be part of a small ring broken off about the size of a small pendant ring maybe where a chain was attached
[Lost and not recoverable]
Now there's a head-scratcher! Any chance of a photo of the back of it?
the reverse side
[Lost and not recoverable]
I have to say that I am pretty much stumped on this one. I doubt it is particulary old, maybe a fitting from a storage chest or footlocker of some kind?
Looks like it could be from a book something large like an old family bible as one side is plain that would be the side on the leather.
ahhhhh yes thats a very good idea that would explain the squere cut out for some kind of lock to keep the book closed ,well thought of dave
Yep, I was thinking the the square hole was for a key, it isn't a book fitting type that I am familiar with, but then the stuff in my collection is possibly earlier than this (http://www.detecting.org.uk/blog/2010/11/early-17th-century-book-fittings-as-the-book-binder-intended/) and I'm not very up on the later stuff, if a book fitting then I would have to go with a 19th to early 20th century date, what do you think dave?
*Thread title updated*
Yes i would agree on the date that you have given.