Wow, Spiral, that is interesting.....the circles do remind me of some African designs...I cannot remember if I have seen this in a Yunnan sword handle with the horn scales...I think I may have...I have to look...but more usually I think of the circles with the Bo'an knife handles though...I've never seen one though in an antler shape. I agree with Ian...odd looking...ceremonial piece????
Bo'an knife
http://reading.soundseechina.com/en/...stom_543.shtml
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6194