No Idea What This is

[cherrypicked]

I found this the other day. It looks to be the size of a butter dish with a design. I'm thinking it's purely decorative but I am curious as to if it has any practical use, when it was made and what it is made of. It is very heavy and has the number 479 on the back.

 

[ohiowhiteguy]

i'm guessing butter dish..
fancy one at that..OWG...

 

[cherrypicked]

I thought so too but I can't find anything like it.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

art nuevo pen tray - Bing Images

 

[ohiowhiteguy]

i could be wrong..someone else. should comment and confirm pretty soon.
where did you find it?
OWG...

 

[Stone Decipher]

I am guessing but, made to be lifted with two hands,"finger tips" a lady with cocked head in the middle, what do they mean when they do that??/ can two drinks be set on each side of the lady!!!! I just can't picture a cube of butter sitting on her face!

 

[surf]

Nice Art Nouveau tray. It may be the size of a butter dish, but I'm voting for it being a calling card tray.

unique art nouveau style ornamental brass plated cast iron calling card tray

Antique Pewter Art Nouveau Figural Calling Card Tray with Nude

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

I was thinking pencils...but calling cards sound more refined..

 

[cherrypicked]

Ah the pen tray makes sense I suppose although you would think the face would get in the way. It makes more sense than butter though IMO. Putting butter on her face seems odd. :-P

 

[cherrypicked]

I like the calling card tray. Makes sense also.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

Ah the pen tray makes sense I suppose although you would think the face would get in the way. It makes more sense than butter though IMO. Putting butter on her face seems odd. :-P

I guess I should leave this statement alone...
I like the card tray idea...let me go wander the ethers and see what I can find.

 

[cherrypicked]

Let me know what you find. The card tray makes sense although most of them don't have a design in the middle but it may be as close as I am going to get.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

art nouveau trays - Bing Images

 

[cherrypicked]

Thanks, that looks right. Much appreciated.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

many of the trays not quickly identifiable as food dish...can be multi purpose...
several trays on ebay said card holder/ jewelry /ring trays...yet little differences between the trays...

 

[cherrypicked]

I think I'll just leave it at tray and let people decide for themselves what to use it for. It is a pretty cool find. I picked it up for a buck.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

good score...

 

[diggummup]

That beautiful female bust appears to be a Gibson girl, I think. The flowers on either side may be primrose. Definitely art nouveau in style. I think it could have been used for any number of things but a calling card tray looks the most promising. It appears as if it may be a silver plated item. Hard to tell with the photo.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gibson+girl&go=&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=gibson+girl&sc=8-11&sp=-1&sk=

 

[cherrypicked]

Awesome. That's great info.

 

[DCMatt]

Candle snuffer tray.



DCMatt