The Finished Piece
1. I started with this scrap of 16 gauge copper sheet, about 28" long, and no preconceived design in mind. 
2. Starting to form cylindrical shapes on a wood V-block.
3. Results of previous step.
4. Bending the metal around to complete the cylindrical form.
5. Forming what will end up being the top, on a sand bag.
6. Forming the points of the top on a wood V-block.
7. Smaller tools are needed for the ends of the points.
8. Bending the metal around to form conical points, or spiculums.
9. For the bottom part I got the sudden inspiration to fold it over on top of itself. It all happened so fast, I didn't get any pictures of the process.
10. In this picture, the seams of the cylindrical parts have been silver-soldered. 
11. I discovered that the two points of the folded-over parts would fit perfectly into the triangular opening at the base of the stem. 
12. After a LOT of hammering, I got everything fit together well enough to silver-solder the seams.
13. Now I have to contend with this weird nonsensical three-pointed star shaped thing. Using the stake shown on the left, I do some rounding and smoothing.
14. Trying to make this part of it a little more interesting, I put some curvature into it.