Old Iron Hand-shaped (Presumed) Branding Iron whitework As one would imagine was

As one would imagine was the aspiration of its maker

and would not want to cross her

possibly original to the piece and visible only when turned upside down

It is indeed the very little things that often make me the happiest

Old Iron Hand-shaped (Presumed) Branding Iron whitework As one would imagine wasI can't figure out anything this could be other than a branding iron; there are gaps at either side where the hand meets the handle that make it seem unlikely that it would work as a mold or cutter of some sort. Assuming the former, I'd guess that the arm once fit inside some sort of extension, so that when hot it would not burn one's hand when using. It appears to me that it was hand forged, and is quite old (and heavy, weighing almost 2 pounds) and