Weird Thing That Holds Something

This is small, each piece measures 2" across. The top has 12 holes. It holds something but I don't know what. Not bakelite...maybe bone or ivory?

 

Incense sticks perhaps? Just a guess.
Is that a finial?

 

That's the Taj Mahal if that helps anyone pin it down.

 

Looks like marble ?

 

What species of flower is depicted?

Incense stick holder is a good guess but if there are 12 holes, you couldn't get incense sticks into the lower holes as they are too long and would hit the table or whatever the device was sitting on.

 

http://library.bryant.edu/special-collections/art-at-bryant/hodgson/egypt.htm

http://www.french-treasures.net/Asian-Art_4/Set-11-Elephant-Cocktail-Picks-Stand-Ivory_4966.html

~Cheryl

 

I *think* I see some faint Schreger lines on the bottom?

 

Cheryl that makes sense...

 

I concur. Toothpick or pick holder - they probably matched it. It's a souvenir of India; that's the Taj Mahal.

 

Springfield it looks like a sunflower. Does anyone know how old it is? And would I be able to sell it on Ebay?

 

ivory

 

Would look pretty nice with some vintage hat pins in it

 

Don't think I can sell it on Ebay...

 

sure you can.......take some good close ups ..& call it " natural material ".

Ebay no longer gives a rats ass what is sold on THEIR platform........unless some big company objects .....

There's a guy selling a mask right now who's using photo's of a mask that I bought off eBay years ago...& still own....to sell his newer made exact copy of the same mask !
You can see the photo's are of 2 different masks.....

Ebay could care less....or COULDN'T care less !!!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371337510557?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Tell me you don't see the difference.............

 

the accepted euphemism is 'ox bone'

 

komokwa, yes, looks like two different masks. Is yours the one facing left? The hair colours are different as well as the paint.

 

Mine is the older one with the duller paint , and crack, and raffia for hair , not cedar bark.
The kicker...the top of mine should have graceful curls ...but they tend to break off after many years of use ........the faker , doesn't know that ....so his crown is just like mine.....& no artist would carve it that way on purpose !!

Here's what an intact top would look like......more or less.....



And here's my underside.......which he had used too.......but took it down because it REALLY showed two different masks in the same listing......




Grinds my gears !!!

 

feebay has now prohibited the use of 'ox bone' in titles

The new acceptable euphemism is 'cattle bone'

 

it's still ivory...