Really weird candle sconce

This thing is seriously strange and I'd welcome opinions. I'd think late 19th, but why all the knobs and bits? And the base has fixing holes - into what?

 

I agree with late 19th.

Those globes reflect the light. (If they are polished.) The 'door knob thingies', I don't know.

It looks like a wall sconce, but the candles would fall out if it were fixed to a wall.

 

it looks like a marriage of different things...

 

This looks like a sloppy weld:


Is it all the way around?

If so, maybe it is a wall sconce and the top section should be at a right angle to it's current position. As in broken and repaired oddly?

 

I'm seeing a 'married' piece. That top bit does not seem to match and looks soldered on. We are locksmiths. The "doorknobs" actually look like cabinet knobs that were soldered on as well. The base looks like an antique door escutcheon plate that was repurposed with bits of other things.

 

I'd forgotten the reflecting globe thing, thanks aj.

I'm pretty sure it isn't a marriage. All of the components fit absolutely perfectly: screw sizes and lengths match properly. The top bit is screwed on, not soldered as are the knobs, knops and candleholders. It's actually really well made. And where the "stand" fits the base is a very well done hinge. Very odd.

 

It wouldn't be the first quirky Victorian item, they got up to the weirdest things.

 

It really looks weird. And I would say it's from the 19th century. I know I saw a similar candle holder a few years ago when I was on vacation at a hotel, and the candles looked really nice in that candle holder.

 

It looks like a marriage to me too.. too many different styles put together.