ANGEL HOLDING SCALLOP SHELL FOR HOLY WATER?

I found this at a local thrift store; is this from a catholic church (where parishners(?) would dip their finger in holy water & then cross themselves when entering the church)?
Or is it a home version (but who would bless the water?) kinda like a jewish menorah on a door sill?
Or just decorative?
How old is it? It has a mark and number (M & E 178) - but nothing else I could find to date it or tell it's age.
The piece is beautiful & measures 8" x 4"
Thank you; I appreciate any help.

 

Holy water font wall pocket(?)

(Parishioners)

 

Here's a French one similar on ebay

French Holy Water Font Angel Cherub Shell Porcelain Biscuit 1880

 

Good question, @journeymagazine

Do you have a Holy water font in your home?

 

Yours may be Mauger & Fils...

I'm not positive, looking on my phone.

 

No I don't have one in my home. I never saw one in a church (I'm not catholic) - I jut assumed they were bigger for some reason.

 

^^^
(That's a link of Catholics sharing how they keep and maintain the Holy water in these fonts (or don't))

 

Thank you - any idea what year it is; new or old?
Thanks again.

 

Is this ceramic? It looks like plaster, which is what I often see these religious pieces made in.

 

You're welcome, @journeymagazine

Maybe we should tag a few pottery and reference people for confirmation and age... It's an interesting topic...

@Bakersgma
@916Bulldogs123
@patd8643
@Any Jewelry
@pearlsnblume
@i need help
Others?

 

My first and only thought is mid 19th century.

 

I believe it's bisque porcelain?

 

I would think ca 1900, for home use. Most Catholics had one at home.
One of my aunts collected antique ones in the 1960s and 70s.

 

I think that’s what time period they all seem to be.
I DONT think the attribution here is correct, but here’s a similar one.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/685235...elain-angel-holy?show_sold_out_detail=1&frs=1

 

@scoutshouse I'm afraid that this is a subject I know nothing about. Pretty, but that's about all I know. Sorry.

 

You seem to know the art of identifying marks, that's why I tagged u

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Except for the colors, it looks a lot like the one in your link.