Ashtray ? Any ideas of where and what?

In a similar vein to martins post in another thraed, I wondered if anybody possibly knows anything about this probable ashtray that I have. I just liked it and managed to acquire an example from a dealer friend. I have also seen them in pewter, or perhaps tin, in a better qualty than this example.
And ideas pleas ? Is it a dancer who has forgotten her drawers, or perhaps a nymph on a lily?
As I say, I just liked it and would love to know more about them........

 

Could be a vide poche. And more likely a nymph on a lily pad.

 

I'm for nymph too. The fact that her backside is fully modeled in relief, that she is not just repousse concave, makes me think this is one of those gentleman's naughties meant to titillate another gentleman when her secret is revealed.

 

I like that you refer to us as ' gentlemen '.............. very classy !

 

The idea of it being a vide poche has its merits, the only thing that seems perhaps against this is that the nicest examples are in fact in pewter or tin, and thus easily damaged, though that hardly seems likely as an ashtray either!

 

I've seen a lot of pewter and tin vide poches over the years, but I agree, it is a vulnerable metal. Also silverplated ones, which must suffer a lot of wear from coins and keys as well.