Topic: can anybody tell me WHAT this is? :)

[kimera]

is it a paperweight? what is the odd metal mount for? is it simply decoration?...

its hollowed out and cannot be stood the other way up

[Lustrousstone]

Base shot please (and more helpful title). It's a Whitefriars pen holder  but missing a bit
http://www.andys-pens.co.uk/pa1684.shtml (scroll down)

[kimera]

hmm.. it looks similar, but then again, very different? the mount is set differently and if the stem and ball were missing wouldn't there be some residue? solder or something?

[NMott]

Ink well, maybe.

[kimo]

I also would think it is an inkwell or pen holder.  It does seem to be missing its insert which is a pity.

[chriscooper]

Christine is correct the colour is Twilight the holder has a magnetic ball on the end which 'sits' on the brass insert on the top.

Chris

[vidrioguapo]

What looks very odd to me, unless it is an optical illusion, on Kimera's photo the metal fitting seems to have a ground rim around it, whereas normal the fitting sits on top of the glass and almost "blends" with the shape of the glass base, like this.

[vidrioguapo]

Here's a pic of the hole in which the metal fitting sits.  It is rough inside, no ground rim around it, and the fittings were glued in

[chriscooper]

Maybe they did vary a little over the years Emmi seem to have it in my head from somewhere some were solid with a ground polished pontil mark and some were 'open' bases with a ground base rim old age is a funny thing.

[vidrioguapo]

I've never seen one with an "open" base, but all the ones I have had have been hollow inside, not solid like a paperweight.