Brass relief sculpture or dish / face

Not sure if this is supposed to be a small dish - I think more an artistic sculpture than a functional item. The face is almost in high relief. Any thoughts on how old - or where it may have come from. Looks maybe european to me. Is this a religious figure?
About 5 1/2" long. Weighs almost 11 ounces. About 1 inch deep at the tallest point.

~

 

Aaron, I don't know whose face that is, or what was the original intent, but it looks to me as if someone has used that as an ashtray(?).

 

It does kinda look like that in the pictures - but I don't think it's ash - I think it's just dirt/grime - it doesn't have any odor of tobacco or anything burnt whatsoever.

 

Whew - glad to hear that, Aaron! (That stink doesn't go away easily...)

 

maybe a tea bag holder or spoon rest could have caused the discoloration..?

 

Could be a spoon rest.
With a portrait of a disgruntled 19th century housewife (with bonnet) facing yet another day of having to cook for her substantial and ungrateful family?

 

She does look disgruntled doesn't she! Maybe a bit small for a spoon rest but it's definitely within the realm of possibility.

 

Maybe she would rather have become a scientist and make an amazing discovery. But there she was....

 

Think it's a 1960s decorative brass ashtray with an Asian motif.

Debora

 

Looks to me like a homely woman in a bonnet, but regardless, it's most likely an ashtray (ash receiver) - early to mid 20th century...

~Cheryl

 

If it is an ashtray it was designed by a misogynist who relished the thought of people pushing cigarettes into the poor woman's face.

 

Hehe - no, there was just a lot of 'face' ashtrays made in the early 20th century, all sorts of faces, male, female, pretty, homely, animal, whatever; all sorts of materials too, silver, bronze, brass, aluminum, pewter, pottery, glass - and some designs were continued in production for many years...

~Cheryl

https://www.google.com/search?q=bra...qIrZAhUuxVkKHUYmAXkQ_AUICygC&biw=1150&bih=654

 

Ah well, that's ok then.

 

All she needs is a Western bonnet, hairstyle, kerchief and bodice, and she could be it.

 

Agree - the arm position and sleeves are similar - the rest I'm not seeing.