Antique Cast Metal Art Nouveau Leaves Nut Opens Unique Trinket Incense Dish 1899

Very unique antique decorative dish features botanical motif of folded leaves and nut. An American or French Art Nouveau piece (circa 1890–1910). Made of heavy (weighs 1lb.) cast Bronze metal is a rich, warm brown authentic to late-19th-century bronze. 1899 on the piece makes it crafted during the height of the Art Nouveau period. This antique dish includes a hinged mechanism to allow the bronze nut, pod, or lid to flip or open to reveal a small secondary compartment. The pin hinge with its bent ends is a major clue that strongly points to its authentic late-19th-century manufacturing method. This specific hinge mechanical style was standard for smaller decorative cast-metal novelties from the 1880s through the early 1900s. It confirms the 1899 stamp aligns perfectly with the piece's construction era. The top of the nut acts as the lid, while the hollowed-out lower portion forms the small basin. This functional, hand-finished hinge work is very common in American Art Nouveau cast metals. Well-known historic creators like the Jennings Brothers (JB), Bradley & Hubbard, or Art Metal Works frequently used exposed wire-pin hinges for their novelty desk items, inkwells, and trinket trays. Possibly served as a vide-poches (pocket-emptier/trinket dish, match holder, stamp keeper, ring cache or just a decorative catchall. **Measures approximately: 6 inches long and 5 inches wide x 1-3/4 tall **Please see all pictures for the best description of this listed items condition.