Brass engineering sample ?

[Mr_Pea]

Purchased this oddity on ebay, any ideas ?

Engineering sample , apprentice piece or paperweight it does have green baize on the underside.

Size 3"x3" x 1 1/2". Weighs over 1.6 kg

The slots are just thick enough for an upside down credit card, its too thick with the numbers impressed and a penny won't fit either.

I guess the top was done with a milling machine but the slots ?

 

[Trevanion]

Slots were probably done with a slotting saw in either a horizontal mill or a vertical mill with the piece mounted horizontally.

No idea what it actually is though, Business card holder maybe? :?

 

[Rorschach]

Might just be to hold notes/business cards.

 

[adidat]

Heat sink?

Adidat