Vaseline glass with elephant holder

[kfan]

I have not ever seen anything like this. We bought it years ago at an old antique shop. The holder is very heavy metal (almost feels like iron) The elephant is attached with a screw. The vaseline bowl part is removal and it glows brightly. Total diameter is about 4 1/4".  I would like to know anything about it - maker, use, value, anything!
Thanks .
Sandy

[railman44]

Almost looks like a cigar/cigarette ashtray.  Does a magnet stick to the metal part?

[leonceant]

Lovely piece!

[KC]

i agree with railman44 that it appears to be an ashtray.  Just have never seen a Vaseline glass item like this!  Very Nice!

[D&b antiques]

could we get a closer look at the elephant & border ?

[railman44]

This may help with a little Photoshop.  The metal appears to be a pot-metal.

[regularjoe2]

It reminds me of the tale of the young fellow who gave his wife a first anniversary present of a bag of peanuts , telling her "I wish they were emeralds.".
Later on , in their 'golden years' the man gave his wife a bag of emeralds , saying "I wish they were peanuts." .

I'm old & have forgotten many things , but I think the story came from O Henry .

[KC]

LOL!  Like the story!

[kfan]

Thanks for the replies.
A magnet does not stick to the metal so it is not iron. Probably is pot metal like suggested.
Thanks for the photoshop - it helped see the border better.
 I had thought it might be an ashtray, also.
I bought it because it caught my eye.  There are no markings to indicate any origin or maker.
Sandy

[D&b antiques]

I agree with the pot metal. My first thought's were it's Chinese. I say' no may be korean ? No maybe czech ? I'am back to Chinese. the color of the glass, fit's there work. Fenton art glass used this color scheme. in 1922  calling it chinese yellow.

If you can compare the ears on the elephant. asian elephant's have small ears compared to african elephant's. who have large ears. But I'am still not certain as to it's use.

The glass a lone is collectable & add and elephant & increase the value.

[kfan]

I did not think about the ear size.  Ears on this elephant are small.

[KC]

I am still not sold that it is vaseline glass....do agree with D&b about the elephant's ears.  Don't believe it is Korean because a trunk up means good luck/fortune - the trunk is down!  Nepali made?  Just for grins sent a pic to my friend in Seoul.

[kfan]

It might not be vaseline glass as defined. I called it that because it glows very brightly under a black light (for lack of other terminology).
I did not know about the trunk up being good luck - that is interesting. 

[cogar]

it glows very brightly under a black light

If it fluoresces bright green you might check it with a Geiger counter. Could be uranium in the glass.

[regularjoe2]

My guess is that it might be a 'vanity dish' ,
used for jewelry , keys , cufflinks & what-nots .