Another long shot studio ID

This is 14" to the top of the lid. I thought it was interesting looking. Inscribed with E and M plus flourishes on the letters.

I welcome all comments and appreciate any help on identifying this.

Found at an antique fair in Portland, Oregon, USA.

 

At first sight it reminded me of a fire hydrant. And the E at the bottom looks kind of like the E as sometimes written in classical Greek. And this piece is neither! But it's giving your post a bump anyway.

 

Thank you!

It does, though less so in person.