Part of a costume?

How did you find out it is real silver?

a friend use acid to prove that it is silver

Maybe part of the Sultan's favorite wife's belly dancing costume? I had to click on this thread to see if it was a typo. ;)

nhb22, my sentiments exactly. My first thought was an instrument of punishment.

I don't think it was ever intended to be functional for obvious reasons. I think it's someone's idea of 'art'.

I could see it worn over another - presumably thick - garment.

Makes me think of a Viking maiden in an opera - or at a very fancy costume party. A well-endowed maiden, it seems.

And yeah - I can also imagine this being an artwork as well.