Featured Cemetery art? Candle holder?

Hi, there!

I cannot figure out what this is… my best guess is that it’s some type of cemetery or mausoleum art. I thought it was brass, but I’m now leaning toward cast iron with a gold finish.

If it is a candle holder, the candles would be pretty small in diameter.

Anybody have any ideas? Also, pay no mind to the dog hair in the pics, I borrowed my pup’s blanket for the background. Photo of him for reference. He’s a very good boy. Thanks!

 

Have you tried a magnet to see if it is iron?

Cute pupper!

 

Thanks! And it is not magnetic…. Interesting development!

 

Looks like it's made of pot metal/spelter. You could try and make a few tiny scratches on the underside/back. If it's silver under the plating, would be spelter. Gold would be brass.

 

It is silver underneath.

 

Size?

 

Oops, meant to include that.
It’s about 12 inches tall and 4 inches at the widest part.

 

Are the 2 holes on the back of the head machined so it could be attached to something?

Looks too small for candles but perhaps could hold a small straw nosegay/posy.

 

I don’t think the holes in the back are machined, but it’s so hard to see inside. Here’s the size of the hand holder thingies.

What is a nosegay?

 

a small bunch of flowers; bouquet; posy

 

I see, thank you.

I stuck a pin down one of the holes on the back, and they do have ridges on the inside, so they are machined.

 

I would venture a guess that the tops of the torches are also threaded. They may have had candle holders screwed on.

 

JMHO.
candles would be too near to the background.
furniture fitting or door adornment ?

 

Neat piece! A neoclassical-style cherubim that was part of a church wall sconce or chandelier?

 

Some missing flame finials perhaps?

 

You’re right - they are threaded as well

 

Dogs are not magnetic...

 

Wanna bet? I adopted mine after he had to retire from the junkyard. The car crushing magnet kept pulling him away from all the burglars he was meant to chase away.

 

Bet that came off a piano.

 

Poor pooch! Did he get hit by a car, or did he have one of those spinal issues that boxers are prone to?