Can anyone identify this unusual piece?

Hi, just wondering is anyone could possibly help me to identify this item? Perhaps its age, intended use or style?

With my very limited experience, I am thinking it is either roman or Greek in style and hand painted. Am I anywhere near?

Many thanks Cervorn

 

Welcome, Cervorn. I keep coming back to this hoping that some kind soul has provided an answer. However, not so.

I suppose my first thought of 'pineapple baker' won't work...

 

Hi Cervorn.....you forgot to give any dimensions! Height, width, etc. Without them it could be many things, but I'll take a stab and say, if it's about 5" dia., maybe a Garlic keeper???? Others will be along eventually!!!

 

I keep thinking "reticulated pottery", maybe Portugal or Italy(?) but I really don't know. I'm surprised it isn't marked.

 

Good thought, Aqui! Depending on size, it very well could be.

 

Or potpourri, unless the bits would fall through the slits.

 

The dimensions are 5.5"H x 3.5"W with lid on and 3.5"H without the lid. Base is 2.5" wide

Does anybody think there could be any age in this item?

I items had a quick Google of 'reticulated pottery' and there is some similar pieces like the one in the image below, however that one is for sauces and has the solid bit to contain the sauce

The more I look at the one in question, the more it feels like a amateur effort (due to the paint runs) although I presume quite a bit of skill and time has gone into this piece. Are amateur pieces still some times valuable depending on the individual piece?

Thanks Cervorn

 

It says Italian to me. May @Walter Del Pellegrino will be able to help. Almost has a capodimonte look to it.

 

Potpourri holder Id guess.

 

i'd think maybe garlic......even though those are usually round holes....
but
potpouuri...held in a scachet ...would not spill out..

 

I think there's a piece missing inside - something went across those two cutouts in the rim, probably something metal. I wouldn't be surprised if this was originally a candle holder or some such.

 

The way the rim of the lower section has been treated is very odd. Someone stabbed at it, seemingly with something fairly blunt, sometimes breaking through & making a hole, sometimes just leaving an indentation. Do those notches in the lip line up with something on the lid?

 

That is one of the reasons I suspect it to be "homemade" and no there is no correlation between the holes and the lid. Was pottery made as a hobby in the past or is it a relatively new pastime?

 

My girlfriend suggested candle/tea light holder, but wouldnt the wax build up and leak even with a 'missing tray/holder' ? Thanks C

 

Not if it held a tea light; I don't think this is very old. It may also have never been used for its intended purpose.

 

Thanks for all your replies

 

Define 'relatively new'.

Great photos, BTW. If the 4th one is showing the inside of the bottom part, my first reaction was that it was meant to hold a candle. However, a covered candle holder has to be vented at the top, not just the sides & this isn't. If the well is tea light size, you might get away with it, but not with a small taper. My sense is that it is not for food. Potpourri was a reasonable suggestion, except why then the well?

 

It really reminds me of in incense holder I had in the 70s--not for the tall stick like pieces..but there used to be short cone shaped incense .

 

Are the holes in the base for tieing it together with the top on so it can be hung/suspended?