What is it?

[RogerP]

Got this in a job lot of old wooden handled tools.

Any ideas?

 

[SteveF]

I would guess a leather stamp

Steve

 

[Richard T]

It looks like something used to texture the background of shallow carving although the handle doesn't seem to be made for striking.

 

[RogerP]

That was my first guess, for ground work, but can't find anything similar with extensive research on the net.

All that I find are made for striking and usually steel throughout.

 

[bugbear]

Embossing tool for putting gold onto leather. It's hot for use, which is why the head is so massive. It's not struck, of course.

e.g.

http://www.whitehallantiques.com/blog/?p=533

BugBear

 

[RogerP]

Ahaa! Indeed, thanks very much.

Now all I need is some gold to try it out with.

 

[bugbear]

Ahaa! Indeed, thanks very much.

Now all I need is some gold to try it out with.

My only concern is that the pattern is far less fine and fancy than any of the examples
I can find online.

BugBear