Here is an oddity ..

This heavily rusted wrought-iron object measures approximately 8 by 6 inches. It has a rolled perimeter, a single hinge assembly along its upper edge, and a keyhole-shaped opening near the bottom. The hinge appears to have accepted a mating leaf inserted into the rectangular slot, indicating the object was designed to pivot upward. Any ideas?
The back is nondescript.

 

That's gotta be the weirdest thing I ever did see.

 

Rob-First glance I agree w/ Davey.
Did you metal detect this and is the blobby stuff hardened mud or thick rust encrustation ?
PS-I assume you've cleaned it already.

 

It was actually an incidental recovery , found while doing the family cemetery restoration I have been working on. I cleaned it the best I could, but it is so fragile that dare not do anything too extreme.

 

Similar to this trunk latch -

 

Thanks.. it is big one, that's for sure.

 

Is it sheet-metal...or a casting or stamping?

 

It seems to be sheet metal, but it flakes off in layers.

 

Most likely not an Anglo Saxon breast plate or shield boss-why not risk it all and give it a scrub ?! Unless it's a named coffin plate- that'd be a shame to erase a loved ones memory.
PS- Good on you for doing the ancestors proud !
PSS- By the way, very few of us have a family cemetery plot left here in the States- changing times (plus suburbia & malls gobbling up every centimeter of flat ground). Absolutely a thing I recall as a kid.

 

Excellent job.

 

Well done!

 

nice work....clean and presentable !!!!!!!!