What was this used for?

I get the idea that this is a candle holder but what the heck is the center part for? I saw this at a garage sale for a buck and could not pass it up. There are NO marks on it at all, it appears to be plate, its well made and really odd. Any ideas? BTW its 10 inches from holder to holder and about 3 inches tall.

 

Center is used for flowers.

 

Table centerpiece I think. You pour some water in and fill the center with short flowers. The metallic thing holds them on place.

 

1970ish. Silver plate was the thing for wedding gifts.
Surprised it doesn't have a company name on it somewhere.

 

Centerpiece sure looks like the right answer! Found a bunch similar but nothing quite like it. I to was surprised that there was no makers mark on it but I've gone over it with a loop and come up empty. Thanks again all!

 

Probably had a sticker for the maker or place of origin, since fallen off.

 

Is the flower-holder-part called a frog?

And if so, why???????

Just noticed this... (Gray alien... here illegally)

 

This one isn't. A frog is a spiky metal piece, or a glass bit with holes, that sits in the bottom of a container to keep flower arrangements in place.

 

This would be my understanding of a 'frog'. But this is still probably used for flowers...is there a particular name for this type of flower holder? Maybe it's more intended for dried or artificial flowers?

 

It could be used that way, but I think they were intended for fresh ones. Not that anyone ever used them. I think it was one of those wedding gifts you got from that aunt you never saw who had to get you something.

 

Thanks, thanks, thanks.

I would be nervous about dry flowers so close to candle flames... one of my uncles would spill tequila on it and up goes the centerpiece in flames. I have to think about these things.

 

A centerpiece similar to these with metal flower holder.
http://picclick.ca/Vintage-Silverplated-flower-frog-vase-triple-candleholder-272366259695.html

I have always seen metal wire, holed or spikes flower holders referred to as frogs. I have or seen glass, pottery and metal with wire/spikes/holes all referred to as frogs. I thought anything that held stems of flowers for arranging were called frogs. Have I been wrong all these years?
https://www.google.com/search?q=met...KEwjjk8r4177PAhUq04MKHTBCDMAQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=_

https://www.google.com/search?q=sil...WD8oMKHVrzB7kQsAQINw&biw=1024&bih=579#imgrc=_

http://search.replacements.com/search/?query=silver+centerpiece+frog

--- Susan

 

I beg to differ! I have two and have often used them (at the same time) on semi-formal tables - they cut expenses by using less blooms than larger arrangements. And they work a dream on a tea table with limited space, where you want a low arrangement as well a tapers.

 

WHO KNEW!!!!!! So MANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Floral frogs are flower holders, flower bricks and flower blocks. They keep flowers in very precise places and are often used in Japanese flower arranging. So why are they called floral frogs? Although "frog" as a name for a flower stem holder appears in the Random House Dictionary, the origin of the word is not given. According to Bonnie Bull in the Flower Frog Gazette, "Best guess: The metal holders sit in water like a frog."

 

...but alas eat no mosquitoes.

 

Awwwwww... like little frogs...