This is a great item for popping on top of the mantlepiece of an antique fireplace in a Victorian interior.
This is a GENUINE ANTIQUE example.
It is a 19th Century Victorian issue and is in just fabulous condition for its age. It takes the form of a spill vase - with the tree trunk having an aperture for keeping spills or long tapers in to use to light a candle.
It has no damages or restorations and is also a nice large size for display.
It is 11 1/2 inches in height and with a width of 8 1/2 inches. Depth of 3 inches
Weight unpacked is 1.5 kg
Normally a flatback figurine or spill vase is designed to be seen set against a wall - the front is decorated but the back is left plain as you would not see this when it is on show. This one is a little more unusual in that you can see that the back is decorated with the figure of the rival love interest, as seen from behind the tree.
This popular model is based on an episode from Dante's Divine Comedy - the story of Paolo and Francesca da Rimini who were both married to other people. Here, they are caught in a secret romantic tryst - and were killed by Francesca's jealous husband who has spied on them from behind a tree.
This story was a very popular one in the 19th century and inspired many theatrical and operatic productions - as well as this interesting figurine.
This spill vase / figurine is simply entitled "The Rival" ... the cuckold husband is seen coming out of his hiding place behind the tree and is brandishing a dagger ready to strike down the unfortunate couple caught in flagrante delicto.
A large painting by the Scottish artist, Willian Dyce is in the collection of the National Gallery of Scotland - it also shows the couple in an embrace - and a sinister hand just seen to the extreme left edge of the composition.
It is probably too heavy to send outside of the UK - so sadly no international postage on this one.