Unknown Serving piece/candle holder

Hi all,
I recently acquired this piece and would appreciate some help identifying what it is. To me it looks like some type of serving plate maybe for cream and sugar or maybe a candle holder. It has a lock built in which locks the movable top in an upright position. There are some markings on the bottom edge which say "made Italy" and either a mark or some other symbol as seen in the photos. I can't find any other markings anywhere. Looks silver plated to me.

 

You don’t give a size so I’m guessing it may be a tantalus minus the glass decanters.
~

 

Yep. Tantalus.

Debora

 

Yes that definitely looks like it, thanks! Any idea about the markings and the age of it?

 

None of the markings I can see or that you have described are for solid silver (in Italy or any other country) so silverplated would be your best case scenario. The "36" is probably a design number or some such.

 

In person the 36 looks like the bottom of the 3 and the 6 are cut off. Doesn't look like that's just from age. Maybe it's a mark other than 36?

 

That's just being hard to strike on a round surface. It can't be anything else.

 

Also, would cleaning the patina off mess up the value of it or would it be best to clean it up?

 

Got it, thank you!

 

Since you don't have the bottles, I suspect it doesn't have a lot of value. But you should do your best to clean it and shine it up. What you would be getting rid of is NOT patina.

 

The Tantalus is a Victorian invention. I'd guess yours was a second half 20th century piece. (Others may have differing opinions.) It's missing its decanters.


Debora

 

Agree re value. Not silver, not complete.

Debora

 

When you say not a lot of value, do you mean worth a couple dollars or more than that?

 

No idea as to value but I would think a hard sell.

Debora

 

it's a nice one...polish it to within an inch of it's life....and ask for $ 45.
You can always lower the price.... raising it....not so much !

 

I suggest you take a look at eBay listings -- both Completed and Active.

Debora

 

Square decanters are not hard to find. Make a note of the base measurements and maximum height allowed for frame and carry it with you when out and about. You may just hit it lucky and find a pair that would fit. That would enhance the value of the tantalus, despite being a "married" set.