Strange Marble Block?

[Wesmawire]

Hello, first-time poster here so hopefully I am doing this right.
I have this strange marble block that was my great grandmothers and I was curious if anyone could identify what it was used for/ what it is?

It's 8" by 4", 7.2 lbs.
Has an engraving of "M.E." on one side
marble block
decorative metal top (maybe brass?) with a component on top that teeters from side to side
and a little piece of metal on the bottom of the block (maybe iron? could be a lead solder)
someone told me it was originally in a church but I can't confirm if that information is true.

Thank you to anyone who can help identify it!

 

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[nhbenz]

Welcome to TreasureNet!
I’m not sure what the whole thing was used for (yet), but I’m pretty sure they used an Eastlake teardrop drawer pull on it:

 

[jeff of pa]

M. E. Brings to Mind Methodist Episcopal The Methodist Episcopal Church was the oldest and largest Methodist denomination in the United States from its founding in 1784 until 1939. It was also the first religious denomination in the US to organize itself on a national basis
the block also brings to mind the base of a monument
the doo-hicky maybe part of a Flag or Flower Holder would be my Guesses.

perhaps at one time was inside a church

other Thought part of a Temporary Grave Marker that could be reused by placing the name in the doo-hicky stand

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Due to the fact that the center post has been secured with lead solder, would make me think it was made for a utilitarian purpose.
If the center post had been threaded, I feel it could very well have been used in a church setting as Jeff suggests.

I don't see any weathering or a significant amount of age in the marble, so it likely has spent most of it's life indoors.
Ben's spot on with his suggestion that the hardware looks to be Eastlake in design.

The obvious damage is a mystery to me though?

Dave

 

[bradyboy]

desk top pen holder?
brady

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

The more I look at this marble base the more I like it... it definitely has character.
I think you should consider re-purposing it, this piece deserves a second chance at life.

If it were mine, I'd look for a classical 19thc statue to mount to it and I have the exact statue for it.
I picked this classical statue up years ago at auction for $50, probably one of the best buys I've ever made.
In my first post, I forgot to say... 'Welcome to Tnet from Toronto Wesmawire!'
Dave

 

[Wesmawire]

Thanks Ben!
Wow that's definitely what's on top! I wonder why it's there? That's definitely a huge help!

 

[vhs07]

Thanks Ben!
Wow that's definitely what's on top! I wonder why it's there? That's definitely a huge help!

Someone's doorstop?

 

[Wesmawire]

Thanks Jeff,
I was thinking it was from the Methodist Episcopal Church too! Maybe it was a candlestick holder? Thanks for the help!

 

[Wesmawire]

it actually was used as a doorstop at one point! Not sure if that was its original purpose but it was definitely effective haha!

 

[Wesmawire]

Thanks Dave!
That's actually a great idea I hadn't thought of. I am currently minoring in sculpture so I might make something myself to put on top of it

 

[jeff of pa]

Thanks Jeff,
I was thinking it was from the Methodist Episcopal Church too! Maybe it was a candlestick holder? Thanks for the help!

Yep I know I've seen Many tomb Stone bases with M E like that, Spread Apart on the Bottom