Featured Silverplate Whatsit

Thanks for taking a look. I have no idea what this is for. Hoping someone here will know. Stands 7" high and the base is 4 1/2" x 6" wide. Rogers mark. I know there are some leaves missing. Thanks for any help at all.

Dale

 

Looks like an inkwell to me.

 

Thanks for the input. I forgot the measurements of the cup section. It's 1 1/4" high and 1 1/2" wide. Thanks again.

Dale

 

Looks like a candle holder to me, with the vine acting as a handle. Is the top of the cup rough? It may have been a bit taller.

Just for example ...
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/d...r-jugendstil-aesthetic-movement/id-f_9956143/

 

Hi. It is a little rough, but it looks like a finished edge. Thanks
Dale

 

I have two issues with candle holder. First, there is no drip plate and second, when the candle burns down to the "handle", the soot will blacken the silver as well as heat the "handle."

 

Very true if what we see is complete.

 

It's a brandy glass warmer. And a more useless item was never invented.

 

Not trying to be snarky, but is this your opinion or a fact?

 

Thank you so much! I didn't expect an answer after so long.

Dale

 

we get answers here after 24 months ....or 48.....
your thread hasn't been up for 24 days !!!!

 

Unlikely this is a brandy-warmer, it would be a bit precarious perch for the snifter, and lacks a secondary support to place it at the correct angle.

That type of curved-over handle wasn't particularly uncommon in 1880s-90s American silverplate, typically found on various bowls, card receivers, condiment stands, pickle casters, scent bottles, jewelry caskets, and quite a few other items as well. Suspect, given the relatively wide arch, that yours had a shallow glass bowl insert with small extended base that fit into the cup, perhaps a bonbon or jelly dish...


This piece is around the same height as yours, note how the bowl fits into the curve of the handle:

https://tinyurl.com/4s9x62e6








This different form piece, but with a cup similar to yours and also around the same height, shows another type bowl that might have been used:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363638415117








Took a look in a few old retailer and manufacturer catalogs, but didn't find your piece - here are a few pieces from an 1890s Tufts catalog showing small pieces with similar handles:









~Cheryl

 

Thanks so much. Wasn't sure how a snifter would sit up there, but then it does look like something is missing on one side.

Dale