6 horses, kinda heavy, no mark, 2 inches by 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch

[azzaro]

Hiya, all. These are 6 horses which are quite heavy..maybe solid silver. The reddish/gold you see in some pics is a reflection from my table lamp and shade. Found them at a second hand store and paid $25. They are of course molded from a cast...since they are identical..but boy..what beauties!. I am guessing 1930s or 40s. Anybody ever seen a set like these?. There is no makers mark.

[mariok54]

Good Morning ... the first thing that I asked myself was 'what are they for?' That isn't obvious from the pics. So then I asked myself, 'why six'? And the first thing that came to mind was a Table Setting. So, then looking at their size, and their weightiness, I am going to opt for a set of knife rests.
I don't think that they'll be solid silver, something of that nature would surely have some hallmark, so probably silver plate.
Just need to try to find some Art Deco knife rests similar to yours!!!   

Anyone else any ideas?

[mariok54]

OK .. my guess seems to be right.

Found these, which seem to be identical, but no price, sold July 2009

http://www.iconicgrassmarket.co.uk/iconicsolditems.html

Came across a lot of brand new ones with slightly different design.

[waywardangler]

My response before I read your post mario, was knife rests, so spot on Mario! Solid silver would be way too soft for everyday use so I agree they are silverplate at best.

Similar new ones on Amazon for $26.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WQ4012?ie=UTF8&tag=paigfill-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000WQ4012

A set of 6 recently sold on eBay for 24.63 pounds or about $40 US.  http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SET-6-FRENCH-VINTAGE-ART-DECO-STYLE-HORSE-KNIFE-RESTS-/260767471160?pt=UK_Antiques_Silverware_RL&clk_rvr_id=240611551305

[azzaro]

Waywardangler and mariok54. THANKS..you guys are good!. I loved the horses the moment I saw them. They remind me of beauty, grace, power and everything nice there is about horses.

[Oceans64]

I love table setting idea's so I think these are pretty cool...  Anyone know the "proper" place these should go on a table setting...

I am off to google  

ETA:  Good link for knife rest etiquette! http://thetriton.com/column/2010/03/knife-rest-etiquette-table-setting

[azzaro]

I looked at some of the ones that sold on Ebay and elsewhere that are for sale. They seem to be low-end copies of the horses I have. Mine might be one of the original ones made by whoever came up with the idea first.

[waywardangler]

If they were this fine http://www.silvergroves.co.uk/ecommerce/Scripts/prodView2~idproduct~8996~Sterling~Silver~Horse~Chopstick~Rest.htm you would really have something!

Original ones from the makers' factory would be marked such as this rest from GALLIA CHRISTOFLE...