Victorian Pewter Hand with Shell

[KC]

Okay, found this cutie in Louisiana.  The wonderful lady I got it from said it was from an old estate and hated to part with it.  I have searched this high and low without finding any others.  Any thoughts/feedback/values would be happily accepted by the forum family!  Any ideas for original intended usage?  (obviously not a hand door knocker)

The shell appears to have a "crack" on the side of it but it is actually cast that way - there isn't a crack.  It is in old/aged but tremendous shape.  The inside bottom doesn't appear to have been to made to connect to anything and/or hasn't been attached but only shows expected marks for foundry work.  No markings of any kind.

[KC]

More pics!

[KC]

And last 2!

[ghopper1924]

I suspect this is from the late 19th century. I can't find one either, but I did find a bisque version. It's described as a baby's hand holding a shell, designed for a baby's room. I think you could put just about anything small in the shell:


https://www.etsy.com/listing/236153677/royal-worchester-parian-ware-hand-vase?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=hand%20shell


Anyway, I would guess yours is worth around $300, maybe more because it appears to be so unique. If it's from an old Louisiana estate, maybe it was made in France?

[mart]

I would say mint dish !!  But could even be a soap dish !!

[KC]

I just liked it automatically (Made me think of the door knocker that Talesofthesevenseas loves so much).  Figured it was Victorian.  Didn't think that much about it until I couldn't find it anywhere. 

The shell measures 3" to 3 1/2" and is just a hair under 1" deep at it's deepest part.
It is heavy for it's size and the real dark coloring.  Paid the asking price of $12 for it.

Took it to my friends that are big collectors and their eyes lit up.   They both said it was real old pewter with it being darker because of the lead content. They both were extremely impressed with the condition of the piece and believe it to be from the Victorian Era and most likely French.  They hesitated to even give a value at this time because they haven't seen one like it before.

[ghopper1924]

$12?  Whaaaaaaa?? Sounds like you got the bargain of the year. Very nice!

Hmmm...French.....V ictorian.....sounds very familiar.


Ahem....*cough* *karmapoint* *cough*

[KC]

LOL ghopper1924.  I plan on hanging on to it.  I bought it for rings, earrings, etc. 

[mart]

I think he means you owe him one KC !!

[ghopper1924]

I think he means you owe him one KC !!

Yeah! 

[KC]

Yes, you did get one!  So wonderfully deserved!  Appreciate all the input!