Weird transferware dish

What is this meant to be used for?

It's from between 1900-1920.
I bought it cheaply to use it as a soap bar holder (except it's slightly bigger than average soap holders: 8,5 inches long)


And don't feel like I don't appreciate your help even if I don't agree with your opinion, referring to the now deleted table thread that turned a bit sour due to differences in opinions. Flea markets are fun, and so can be discussing old items!

 

Spoon rest? Did they have such things back then?

(guess from an antique noob)

 

Well I guess I'm glad I don't know what you're talking about with a defunct thread.

This looks like a spoon rest to me.

 

Does look spoon rest - ish, though maybe (and this is a total guess) it's so large because it was used for a soup tureen ladle?

 

Hi,
I have one of the first spoon rests made for the stove. Everyone laughed at the first spoon rest made by the Cardinal Pottery Co but soon shut up when over a million sold the first year they were made. This is a soap holder. Back then soap was hand cut and such little dainty bars did not get bought. Having made hundreds of bars of soap and hand cutting them into large hunks. You need something this size to handle the bars to keeping them from dripping. Look into toilets sets and you will seen the sizes made then.
greg

 

I concur.

 

Ah!!!

 

@gregsglass When I look at the condition, a soap holder does make sense. Maybe.

 

Here's a picture of it with a larger spoon for possible further analysis. I only have liquid soap right now, so.. couldn't sample it for this.