What the Heck Is It? #16
Happy Thursday friends, and welcome to another edition of…. What the Heck Is It?
In the last What the Heck post I shared these small handmade earrings.
Many of you thought that they were Peruvian or South American and some of you, like me, thought they had a Mexican look to them.
It turns out that they’re Peruvian worry doll earrings. These were made in small villages in Peru for the tourist trade. Karin commented that she lived in Peru for 3 years and watched the local ladies make these, as well as other handmade pieces.
Apparently these types of dolls were supposed to take away the worries of sorrowful children. I guess these earrings would do the same thing.
Not sure how old this set is, but they do look like they’ve been around a while.
Thanks so much to all of you for your comments. It’s always fun to read and learn from them.
This week’s mystery item is one that I shared in a Thrifted Finds post a few years ago.
To this day I know nothing about it except that it’s a very cool piece. I’d love to know where and when it was made, and by who.
This vintage metal decorative dish has a very good weight to it.
I’m not sure if it’s silver, silver plate, or maybe it’s even pewter.
The grape cluster and leaf relief work is fabulous.
The only mark on it is this 1029 on the bottom.
It measures just under 8″ across and about 2″ high.
The three very unique feet are elephant heads.
I’m not sure what elephants and grapes have in common.
Do elephants even like grapes?
Have you ever seen feet like these before?
The detail is quite amazing.
My google searches have drawn a blank, so I thought I’d let you guys in on the mystery.
What the Heck Is It? Any thoughts?
Thanks so much for reading and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
Reminds me of an Arthur Court silver collection (known for grape design) and looks like it could be a Grape Salad Set without the salad servers
Thanks Colleen! I’ve never heard of that collection. I’ll have to google it. 🙂
It is very unique. I have no idea what it is though. I will be checking back to see what the others have to say.
Thanks Debra! I have no idea either, but I’m hoping to find out.
As soon as I saw the dish I thought Italian made because of the metal work and the grapes. But then the elephants…..maybe not!!! No idea but it is very unique!
Thanks AnnMarie! Those elephant head feet are rather puzzling. Cool, but puzzling.
It looks very much like silver. Have you tried a little polish yet? I don’t know what it is, but very cool piece.
Thanks Florence! I haven’t tried polishing it because I’m a patina girl, and it has a lovely one. Maybe I should try a bit on the bottom.
The elephants kind of puzzle me, although they’re quite
Pleasant. The first thing that came to mind was a tray
for a wine bottle but probably not with the feet. But
it’s very interesting.
Thanks Mary! What an interesting suggestion. The centre area is nice and flat and would fit a bottle quite nicely. I would never have thought of that.
My Goodness! You come up with the most interesting pieces! I’m pretty new to your site, but am sure glad I found you. I have no idea what this piece could be, but I can’t wait to find out! Thanks for your postings
Thanks so much Karen! I’m so glad you found me too. I appreciate you taking the time to comment even though, like me, you don’t know what it is. I can’t wait to find out too. 🙂
Well, you’re getting no help from me, either!! But it is gorgeous……hope some one can help all of us to know it’s history!! Dona
Thanks Dona! Me too! It’s one of my prized possessions, and I’d really like to know something more about it. It’s been a real mystery to me.
Don’t know what it is, but I love the elephants.
Me either, and me too. 🙂
I’ll have to join the majority and say I don’t know what the heck it is either! …but I do know with those elephant head feet its a keeper!!! Love the fun and unique pieces.
I totally agree Mickie! I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I feel lucky to have it. 🙂
I agree with Mary, that it is a wine bottle coaster…but that is only a guess. ?
Thanks Granny! I’m going to have to do some google research on that. I appreciate the input. 🙂
I have a silver plated piece of F.B Rogers marked 1029. I don’t know if that is one of their trade marks.
I agree with Mary & Granny it looks like a wine bottle coaster. When I lived in Sonoma, I saw many ornate ones.
Thanks Vickie! Next time let’s say it like we really know!! LOL.
I think you ladies may definitely be on to something. 🙂
Thanks so much Vickie! The grapes pattern would certainly lend itself to have something to do with wine. A wine coaster that would be very cool. I never even knew there was such a thing, so I didn’t know to google it. Now I’ll be doing some more research for sure.
I think it might be a tray that holds an incense burner.
Thanks Olivia! That is another cool suggestion, and another thing for me to do some googling on. I do love to google. 🙂
Looks like silver plate – and I do know that elephant heads were very popular design elements during the Victorian era due to the interest in all things related to India. Without a makers’ mark other than the numbers 1029, it is difficult to say by whom or when it was made. It is a very interesting piece for sure!
Thanks Karin! Victorian sounds wonderful to me. I love finding pieces from the era, so I’m hoping it goes back that far. Thanks again for your input on my Peruvian earrings. They’re very cool. 🙂