Bronze cake stand

I have no idea if this is the right place for this but I am hoping it is. My dad gave me this cake stand. He says it was left with his family by a french aristocrat somewhere in the 1960's, she had brought it with her from France. I have looked for a makers mark but cannot find anything. The mirror is obviously not the original but the wooden backing is, as far as we can tell, it has writing on it that I hope you can read but we don't know when it was written or by whom. Any suggestions would be really helpful in figuring out how old this is and perhaps where it was made.

 

Welcome Megan. i am afraid i do not know but some one will.

 

It appears to be an antique plateau. Given that its motif is wine grapes and leaves, I suspect it had another usage than cakes. Are you sure the beveled mirror isn't original? The back appears to be plywood and may not be. Here's something similar:

https://lelouvre-antiques.com/produ...-ormolu-surtout-de-table-center-piece-c-1900/

Debora

 

This one

is described as a mirror base epergne stand.

 

Not sure an "epergne stand" is a thing. My example above is being marketed as a surtout de table, which seems rather ambitious.

Debora

 

I see "R & B, May 29, 1868." However, that inscription is in English, not French, so added later, maybe? I think Debora has it.

 

A photograph of the entire reverse would be helpful.

Debora

 

https://www.harpgallery.com/shop/item11692.html

"In the 1890's or Victorian times, a mirrored "plateau" or base for a centerpiece reflected the gaslights, enhancing whatever was placed on top."

 

In other words, it helped one see what was on the table!

Debora

 

Agree that this is a plateau and the beveled mirror would be correct for it. These are often silverplate.

 

Not to be contrary but the mirror in the examples all seem to align with the lip,where as Op's is sunken.I think it might be a base for a vase or the like.

 

But we're not seeing the piece's construction. That's why a photograph of the underside would be helpful.

Debora

 

Think the mirror has become detached.

 

Thanks everyone, such a help and I never thought about the writing being in English - that is an excellent point. I have attached a picture of the back as requested although I couldn't fit the whole thing in. My dad said they had a new piece of mirror made for it when the original broke but I can send a picture of the mirror back if you want. The reason I say the wood behind it is original is because it is cut to the curves of the piece and the brackets have indented into it, I think if a new piece had been put in that wouldn't be there but I could be wrong - pic attached.

 

Yes, rococo revival plateau mirror with a new glass and original backing. 1868 sounds right. Beautiful and unusually early compared to what you usually see. Restore the sunken glass and cherish the piece for future generations!

 

Thank you, I plan to do so. Do you think the R & B written on the wood could stand for Reed & Barton?

 

No