Featured Tree Trunk Silver Candleholder Help

Friends-
Please check out this 2-1/2" candleholder. Believe its silver but can't find a mark for it. Designed as a gnarled, naturalistic tree trunk base. There's a tiny touchmark inside a lozenge-shaped reserve with what appear to be the letters AB. As I'm writing this I discovered another tiny indentation, this one in the shape of a flower (it has a scalloped edge). Not sure but it looks like a head in profile facing right. I'll try to take a picture of it later but think it's too small for my camera to get a good image. Any thoughts? I know it's banged up but it's so neat I want to give it a little attention. Thanks.

 

Is your other mark here? Austria-Hungary Hallmarks • Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

~Cheryl

 

Thank you, Cheryl! I do believe it's the Diana's head mark circa 1872-1922. That is definitely the cartouche shape. I'm stoked to know. Now to work on the AB. Appreciate it!

 

Seems a bit deep for a candle - might suggest it's a toothpick holder...

~Cheryl

 

a tree trunk , would fit !

 

a pen stand , perhaps !

 

Depth is 1-1/2". A toothpick works ok. Too shallow for a pen do you think?

 

It doesn't look as if it were designed to hold a fountain pen. And it's a bit narrow, I would think for an ink well -- although here's one that's similar.

Debora

 

I understood the item to be 2 1/2 tall.......

 

AI.

 

I think "tagsale notes" is a bot.

 

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/ai-invaders.94567/#post-13149853

 

Hi-
Fascinating stuff. Both tagsale_notes' dissertation and your responses to that. Better than TV! Here is the piece prettified a bit. Better shot of the Diana's head and AB marks. Thanks to all for thinking about this.