I think old cast iron gate weights are excellent objects and a fun thing to collect, with a lot of variety to tassel shaped ones of this sort; I believe this one probably 3rd quarter 19th century. A weight like this would have been hung from from a chain, most commonly on a garden gate, functioning as a counterweight to make the gate close on its own. The transformation of the form of a silk curtain tassel into a solid iron one makes it feel like something of a surreal object to me, and I really love the braided patterning on it between those voluptuous rounds.

6" t x 2 1/8" d at base. Very good condition, solid iron, about 2 lbs.