This is an antique, primitive iron well pulley also referred to as a barnyard, rope or farm pulley. I believe it is wrought iron but it could be cast iron. I am unable to find a marker mark and from the way the nails and links are hand-tooled, I suspect it may have been made by a blacksmith. This vintage pulley has been in an outbuilding of an old plantation home in Virginia for as long as I can remember (over 50 years). A similar one was used as a well pulley and since this one has a broken spur, I suspect it was the original. There were also multiple barns on the property and it could also have been used as a barn pulley. The plantation it was found on dates somewhere between 1795 and 1835. The well has not been used for over 100 years, so at minimum, the pulley dates to late 1800s. This is a great collectible as well as a neat piece of primitive or rustic popular decor. As mentioned, there is a broken piece (see photo closeup) that connects the shoulder to the base. Otherwise, its in nice condition for its age as it still freely rotates. It measures about 12" round.
.
Product code: 1800s Antique Well Pulley Wrought Iron Virginia Plantation Barn popular Wheel Primitive