Inherited candle holder (?)

[Erskine78]

I hope you will forgive my imposing. I am not particularly knowledgeable about antiques. I am curious about something I have had on my bookshelf for years, which I inherited from my grandmother twenty-plus years ago. She was an immigrant from Eastern Europe who arrived in the US after WWII. I thought it might be a candle holder, but I am not even sure of that. It is made from a heavy metal; perhaps, bronze? I am attaching pictures to this. Any help identifying it--what it is, where it is from, when it was made--would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Nathaniel

[Erskine78]

Another picture.

[bigwull]

a pic of the underside....or the bottom as another member might ask...might be helpful...+...an exact measure...are there any marks on it....if not...then finding out when  it was made will be virtually impossible....from what Eastern European country did she come

[Erskine78]

Thank you for the follow-up questions. I don't see any markings on it anywhere. The triangular base on which it sits measures app. 1". The distance from "spout" at front to leaf at back is app 4". It is 2" tall to the top hole and 2 1/4" to the top of the leaf in back. It has a green patina in places. I don't see a seam anywhere from casting. To my inexperienced eye, it seems handmade with rough circles where the two holes are and the hole under the leaf (which I assume is where one would hold it). Thanks. Attaching another picture in case it helps.

Nathaniel

[Erskine78]

My grandmother was from Yugoslavia, but lived in Italy briefly after the war; and prior to the war, she had traveled a fair amount.

Thanks!

Nathaniel

[bigwull]

Just because you can,t see a seam...does,nt mean its hand made....it does look like its been cast....and as for being a candle holder....well. i,m not convinced....I showed it to Avril...and her first thought was a door knocker ..with missing parts....

[mart]

Are there grooves inside the larger hole !! Looks more like an oil lamp that is missing its reservoir !! Or head could be hollow and oil could be added through the larger hole and wick would be in smaller spout !!

[Erskine78]

Interesting! No, there are no grooves inside (pic attached). I'm not sure whether the head is hollow or whether is just a channel running between the holes. It does not appear as though it is missing any pieces. Thanks!

Nathaniel

[mart]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_lamp

Scroll down here and see the similarities to your item !!

[sugarcube5419]

mart I have no idea how you figured that one out but you are simply the best....

[mart]

Easy !! I ran out of other ideas !!

[Erskine78]

Thank you so much! After looking at a bunch of images online--now that I know what to search under--I think it definitely is an antique oil lamp. I'm even wondering from the design if it might be Ancient Roman. Will research some more. Thanks again!

Nathaniel

[mart]

I think it is Italian but not that old !!

[cogar]

Easy !! I ran out of other ideas !!

I was also thinking it might be an oil lamp when I first seen the pictures.

Maybe because  ...... was there not a discussion about those old oil lamps not to long ago?

[KC]

We have had several on oil lamps over the past year!

starting to see more pop up.  This one is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!