What is this?

[Paula Harten]

A neighbor gave me this and said it was her grandmother's used for tatting.  Well I know that is NOT what it is, but the lacy pattern and the bobbin-like shape of the handle makes me think it was part of something someone devised to work with lace.  It has a threaded post on the opposite side that would have been screwed into something.  Has anyone ever seen anything like it?  I am not sure the images are going to show up.  The object is about 1.5 inch long.

[Lorelei Halley Administrator]

I have no idea !!      "Tatting" is everybody's answer to the unknown.

[Elizabeth Ligeti]

It is beautiful - but, sorry, - I have absolutely No ideas what it is.

I will be interested to know if anyone can identify it, so we know what it is, though.  I do hope someone knows and will tell us!!!!!

[Jane Meier]

It looks like it screws into something.  Perhaps it's a decorative top to a tiered bon bon server.