A Mysterious Dish..... A FAKE Antique or Not?

Do you think this Thing is old?

Origin? Value?

Should I buy it at all since the price is around 250$?

I remember seeing pictures of a similar one here before but couldn't find them now.

 

Material?

 

I don't know. The seller just states: "Patinated metal"

Looks like cast iron to me

 

Not for $250 !

 

If it is iron, it appears to be a good quality casting and very well could be old. I think if iron, $250.00 is high. If bronze, the price is probably in line but the likelihood of it being old is less. I would want to determine the material and see more pictures before spending that kind of money.

 

1. What is it exactly?

2. How big?

3. Why do you want it?

4. I will assume it is plated spelter until informed otherwise. Photos aren't very sharp making an accurate assessment difficult. Is shipping cost reasonable in case you decide to buy it? Nothing I see in the photos leads me to believe it is vintage or older, but again the fuzzy photos limit accurate judgments.

 

Not deep enough for a bird bath, so what is it???? Bird seed?? Or just display?? A SHARP picture of the bottom too??

 

I don't know.. It's around 8 inches tall.

The seller told me it's probably cast iron, just as I thought.

 

8". Hmmm, maybe a card tray, guests put their personal or biz cards on it after handing their coats and hats to one of the servants.

 

In general, it would be a tazza. However, I was also thinking calling card tray.

 

Typical calling card tray

http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-136143/antique-aurora-figural-silver-plate-calling-card-tray.html