Bronze , Brass or Other? Cigar Tray

[ACStanley]

I just got back from the auction, and this is one of my favorite pickups. I think that it may be bronze but am unsure. I believe it to be a cigar ashtray. When I purchased it was coved in muck, it appeared almost black. I did some very light cleaning just to expose a little color (Hope I did the right thing...)

It is signed either Andrés or Andre's

W Top 6 1/2"
W Bottom without lip - 5"
H 2"
Lip Thickness 3/16"
W Dips in the lip 1"

Any thoughts would be much appreciated

Weighs - 2lb 7oz

[ACStanley]

1 more

[bigwull]

It looks like a Pastry cutter to me...because if you think about it...how many fat cigars or stogie,s,can you sit on it before its over crowded....

[ACStanley]

Fair enough, but who would make a pastry cutter out of bronze? Also, it would be just the pure convenience of being able to place the cigar anywhere you wanted... And for a pastry cutter I believe there would be a handle...

[mart]

the name on bottom is not a professional job !!  does look like an ashtray,, many people that work in different industries have the advantage of using the work materials to make personal items !!  maybe this guy worked at a foundry and decided to make himself an ashtray !!

[ACStanley]

Mart, I was telling my brother the same thing today about the signing and how it looked amateur... but the piece is so well made... quite seamless... Does bronze ever have the type of texture this piece has? I did some reading today and I read that there is some 150+ plus types of Bronzes depending on the alloy makeup... I had no idea... I just figured that bronze was bronze... Also is it bad that I lightly cleaned it?

Thanks

ACS

[ghopper1924]

I would say "no problem" about the cleaning, and it does look like a foundry piece re-adapted for ash tray purposes.

[mart]

it can be so diverse that naming it would be impossible ! factors to consider,, the mold used or lack of one, the type of alloy and the skill of the maker as well as how it was finished and cooled !

[ACStanley]

Well... Iv been ashing in it, so for now... Im calling it an ashtray =)