Ancient Scepter Found in Southern Israel

That is a really cool looking find. And the connection to the Staff of Moses is interesting for thought.
 
looks familiar -

Got it!
spatula.jpg
 
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Joking aside, can we look at what this item is, how it is made and what the markings are?

The text says it is bronze coated in silver.
Bronze is an alloy of tin and copper, and is easier to cast fine details because it melts at a lower temperature than pure copper, and is therefore more liquid at the same temperature.It is also stronger and may have other elements in it that make it harder.

Bronze is worked by hammering after casting but it work hardens, so needs annealing (heating and slow cooling) to work it further. Silver is likewise cast and can be worked by hammering. It is possible to plate bronze with silver by hammering together when hot- but is not easy because the oxides get in the way so the metals may not stick to each other very well unless there is no oxygen in the furnace.
The material is technically Sheffield plate - Discovered in 1743...or shall we say re-discovered in 1743?

The pattern of circles would be easy to make if it was a thin hammered sheet, and then a pattern made by hitting one side with a rounded tool, but are these circles raised on both sides?- That would be quite hard to do.

If it was silver plated it was likely to be highly polished- so it is a mirror, but then why the patterning?
 
Just read another source and it says beads and gold wire was also found at the same area. Possible the semi-precious beads were glued into the dimples of the silver plated side. Similar decoration style to current religious items.

- Still looks like an award for the best burger flipper.
 
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Joking aside, can we look at what this item is, how it is made and what the markings are?

The text says it is bronze coated in silver.
Bronze is an alloy of tin and copper, and is easier to cast fine details because it melts at a lower temperature than pure copper, and is therefore more liquid at the same temperature.It is also stronger and may have other elements in it that make it harder.

Bronze is worked by hammering after casting but it work hardens, so needs annealing (heating and slow cooling) to work it further. Silver is likewise cast and can be worked by hammering. It is possible to plate bronze with silver by hammering together when hot- but is not easy because the oxides get in the way so the metals may not stick to each other very well unless there is no oxygen in the furnace.
The material is technically Sheffield plate - Discovered in 1743...or shall we say re-discovered in 1743?

The pattern of circles would be easy to make if it was a thin hammered sheet, and then a pattern made by hitting one side with a rounded tool, but are these circles raised on both sides?- That would be quite hard to do.

If it was silver plated it was likely to be highly polished- so it is a mirror, but then why the patterning?
Dayim.....Good info Rowan!!!
 
Just read another source and it says beads and gold wire was also found at the same area. Possible the semi-precious beads were glued into the dimples of the silver plated side. Similar decoration style to current religious items.

- Still looks like an award for the best burger flipper.

also found. in the same area...a few popsickle sticks with hair...
 
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