What is this (ugly) thing?

[antiquedummy]

I dug this out of a storage shed. I keep thinking something goes with it.
under base says Dav Art New York, no other markings, very heavy.

[antiquedummy]

Nobody is willing to venture a guess? ok I will show my ignorance then and
venture a guess...looks like some sort of centerpiece, although it weighs about
10 lbs. at least, solid brass cast I think. Belonged to and eccentric french woman.
Any other ideas?

[waywardangler]

A perch for a Victorian birdcage.  Any number of finches could perch and not tip it over. 

A centerpiece was my guess also but waited for other posts.  I really think it is a centerpiece or a large and obtrusive paperweight.

[antiquedummy]

Way too heavy to be a paper weight, can't pick it up with 1 hand.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Could those circular pieces in the centers of the flowers hold candles? Any traces of wax in the bottoms?

[regularjoe2]

I'd go along with the idea that your item is missing something .

Portions of the casting sort of indicate that there may have been a platter/bowl element on top of your centerpiece item ..... porcelain,metal,crystal,etc.

Looks like it would make a dandy base for a 'fruitbowl' .

[antiquedummy]

No trace of wax in any of them, besides they would have to be tiny birthday candles.
The hole is approx. 1/4" in diameter. Here is a closeup. A dish of any sort would get
scratched up or break. This puppy is hard and heavy, but it does look like something should go there.

[fancypants]

Dav art - actually "Dave Art Company" , famous for 'Art Deco' & 'Art Nouveau' items .

Many Art Deco collectors out there look for 'Dav Art' items .

Below is another 'blueberry-branch' themed item (desk lamp , electric) :

[KC]

I would fathom that it would hold a large glass piece to be used for a table centerpiece!
I like it!

[wendy177]

Agree with RJ2 & KC crystal bowl - would love to have seen it with the missing piece!!! They did make some pieces using glass from Fenton.

[wendy177]

OK have been hunting dav art & love what I can find!!!!!!! So now I will be hunting another collection this spring!!!! (just what I need ) If anyone has any company info I would appreciate it. New York is not far from me so hopefully some pieces stayed close to home and my antique flea hunts will be fruitful !!

[KC]

Another piece that was Dav Art and Fenton!
http://www.seeauctions.com/show_item/147888/

Apparently did pictures as well......
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Bernard_Shaw _1934-12-06.jpg

Some more
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Fenton-Glass-Moonstone-Ginger-Jar-Lamp-w-DAV-Art_W0QQitemZ370340688626QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563a0672f2

Apparently the company name is spelled Davart and not as 2 words!

[wendy177]

NICE  KC & with Fenton double ching!!!!

[KC]

Wow finding lots of items - this one (although the pic is missing) cites having Lenox paired with it!
http://thelampsbargain.us/Art_Deco_Davart_Porcelain_Lenox_Table_Lamp_Neoclassical.html


Okay - this is moving towards the area I believe your piece is from.  This is but a small example of what I was thinking towards....
Cherub with Pressed Glass Bowl - Item # GL260 - $ 75
http://hidden-valley-antiques.com/glass.html

[KC]

Company History noted by Steve Glaser (nephew of Michael Glaser - founder of Davart)
http://web.me.com/dano1206/My_Uncles_Lamps/Home.html