Friday, March 18, 2016

Pick Of The Week - A Mystery

This one is a total mystery to me!

The size is 14" square and about 4" high.  Which is highly suggestive of a cake platform (like they use at weddings).  Or maybe a pot stand for indoor plants? My web searches of cake platforms, plates, and risers turned up nothing with a patterned top like this.  Indeed, I couldn't imagine putting a cake on top of inlaid enamel.  And my search for plant or pot stands came up empty handed as well.

This is a shot down on the inlaid enamel top. The pattern appears too "perfect" for the leading to be hand laid, so I'm guessing it is machine made. But I'm not positive.  The colors are actually very bright and jewel-toned.  But my web searches of inlaid enamel turned up jewelry, vases, and trinket boxes - nothing like this!

The floral and striped detailing on the sides appears to be embossed tin, wrapped around the edges of side and tacked down with very tiny finish nails or pins.  Reminds me of tin ceiling tiles.

The claw feet are attached to the base with slotted rather than Phillips head screws, which suggest that it is an older piece.

There is nothing anywhere on the piece to identify a manufacturer, country of origin, or date.

So can any of you help me solve this mystery?  Ever seen anything like this before?

10 comments:

Karen said...

No, but it's very beautiful, and I'll be back to see if anyone can identify it.

debs14 said...

It looks like cloisonné work, but I'm not sure what it is! It's very pretty, what a find!

Alison said...

Have no idea...but it's beautiful! Xx

alexa said...

Indeed a very lovely thing. I've not seen anything like it ... Your sharp photography highlights the delicate detail very nicely.

Sian said...

No idea here either. I'll be interested to know if you find out

quiltingfool said...

No idea, but I love it! Great find!

Patio Postcards said...

Beautiful & it looks rather like a table from the middle east, where sitting on the floor for meals is quite common. It will be interesting to discover the history & purpose of such a beautiful piece of art.

Melissa said...

It's beautiful - my guess would be a fancy trivet!

Candace said...

Could it be a trivet??

Missus Wookie said...

I don't know but it is very pretty