Odd face (?) metal side table

Has anyone seen a table like this before? A thrift purchase, kind of an odd little metal table, seems like it was outside as the base has rust. Not sure if I have the photo oriented correctly, seems like an eye or a bird face??? Table measures approx 16 inches high, 14x14 inches across. The metal square with the eye can be lifted out, fairly heavy glass cover about 1/3 inch thick. Guessing this might have been some studio piece rather than something purchased in a furniture store. Would it have been hammered metal? All thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

 

I agree with you - it's too odd to have been sold by a regular furniture dealer! Looks like somebody's fantasy, based on a dream.

 

Hm. That looks like a part of a mural or embellishment for a building that someone has had made into a table. Nice.

 

I was going to say "looks like a chicken".(LOL) It does look like a fragment that someone rescued.

 

Cover the lower half and it looks like an animal's bone structure, like a dog. I think it is part of something else that got repurposed.

 

My money is on a close up of an elephant face/eye. The OP's second picture appears to be oriented correctly.

 

Thanks for all the ideas. Could be an elephant! Wish I knew what this square originally came from. Either it was somebody's personal art or was a piece of something with some significance as they had a custom table made for it. I'm sure there is a story, probably will never know. Can anyone tell from the back whether the metal piece was hammered or molded? It's odd enough I might be able to consign the table at one place in town that likes one of a kind.