What's it worth? Appraisal of vintage smoking stands

Bill asks:

This pair was found on Kaua’i, Hawai’i.
I have not been able to find anything similar, google, ebay, or any other link.
White alabaster, brass plated pot metal/ brass fittings.
Thinking 1890 - 1910, no groove in the leaves for rolled cigaretes, cigars?
May be linked, due to the location, to early Hawai’i plantation owners or public building.
Origin unknown, Italian?
Occlusions intentional, goldish orange, not reddish oxide.
24 1/2 ” tall 8 1/2” wide the bowl.
Very subdued Victorian, No hint of Deco.
More interested in the provanance than value.
Quite a puzzle.
 
Aloha,
 
Bill

 AW says: Hi Bill, those are very neat.  I agree with some of what you’ve indicated, but not on other parts.

I think these are smoking stands for an upscale hotel, the lack of a steep groove in the holders, allows for the acommodation of a cigar as well as cigarettes.

You are correct in your observation that the collars on the base of the stem are pot metal, but this means that your stands are later than your guess. Pot metal, or cast metal was around before this time, but it generally wasn’t used in the  manner which it is being used on your stands until a later time.

  I’d put them at 1915-30.  That puts them in the art deco period, but you’re right, they have no art deco influence, but rather that of a Victorian revival.

I too believe they are Italian, certainly European, but they’re not of Alabaster, rather marble. Generally alabaster is softer than marble, more porus and with black veins. Although, you’ll find Alabaster contrary to that statement.

If selling, I would sell them as  a pair, because as a pair they are relatively scarce. My prices are for both.

Retail value: $275 for the pair

Wholesale $125

Quick sale $95

 Keywords = White Marble, Italian marble, smoking stands, Victorian revival. cigar stands, cigarette stands.