Tile with Shallow Pierced 'Fence' & Ball Feet; Tray or Trivet, or ?

I'm over my head with this...I bought it some years ago, knowing the metal-work was damaged but intending to strip it all away in order to salvage the tile, which is what attracted me in the first place. Well, the dang thing got buried and just rolled to the top in a box of other junk; I a wee bit smarter than I was then, and so recognize there may be more to this thing that precludes destruction of the metal...at least until I know for sure it hasn't any major value as is.Your opinions about its age and origin will help me determine what fate awaits it.

Is it a tray...or trivet...or? Without a makers mark, I will risk guessing it's European; 16cm is ~6 1/3 inches. Please shine a little light on this minor mystery; I'm still hoping for a good sale, but the tile all by itself will satisfy as a keeper. Thanks for lookin'!

 

Tile may be by Villeroy Boch and the metal surround by Dennhorn, a German company I believe, but that's probably not the only possibility. I'd guess 1st 3rd 20th C. Here's something along the same lines:


https://www.antiquers.com/threads/help-with-a-couple-of-ceramic-metal-trays.63416/#post-4251190

 

Candle tray?

 

Coaster/trivet.

 

I think they call the "fence" a gallery - it's considered a gallery tray

 

btw - no expert here but it seems to big to be a coaster and a trivet wouldnt have a gallery as it would prevent anyone from using it - I do believe it's a tray

a gallery tray LOL

 

That sounds good to me...Thanks!

 

Agree, German. Made for a lot of years. Sometimes find these with a WMF mark on the metal but other companies made them. Might call yours secessionist in design. I have always been attracted to these but it seems I am in the minority. Not much resale value these days.