Bought in a swiss thrift shop, a tool maybe?
What is this bronze scorpion-shaped object with a removable insert?
Body: I found this at a thrift store in Switzerland. It appears to be made of bronze or brass and consists of two matching parts:
A beetle-shaped body with a rectangular opening.
A removable metal insert that slides into the body and locks in place with a pin.
The insert has two spring-like metal prongs.
The two parts clearly belong together.
Things we've already ruled out:
It doesn't work well as a musical instrument. The sound is no different from striking any other piece of metal, and the beetle body doesn't seem to act as a resonator.
It is not really a container; there's essentially no usable internal space.
The "loop" on the back is not for hanging—it is simply the locking point for the removable insert.
At this point, my best guess is that it's either:
a specialized tool with a very specific purpose, or
an ethnographic/artisan object whose function isn't obvious.
Does anyone recognize it or know its origin or purpose?