Came across this item from an importer's advertisement, dated 1951.
I was curious to know whether it was their original purpose, or if it was contrived by the maker/importer as an alternative use.
Importer was Artglass Ltd., 48 Carnaby Street, London, and the advert was titled 'Venetian Glass'. Can post the full advert if required: there is one of those stylised fish lamp stands also shown.