The base is a carved rosette.
This would be called a vanity mirror stand and they didn't come into play until the dressing table became super popular in the mid/late 1800's.
Without seeing the attachment pieces and other views it would be hard to determine the age just by this picture. Does it have a mirror on the other side? Is it magnifying? What does the bottom of the stand look like (picture please).
This doesn't look real old to me...from this picture.
