Victorian Novelty Figural Pocket Watch Stand and Vide-Poche (Trinket Tray)

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This item is a 19th-century Victorian novelty figural pocket watch stand and vide-poche (trinket tray).The piece features a patinated bronze … Read more This item is a 19th-century Victorian novelty figural pocket watch stand and vide-poche (trinket tray).The piece features a patinated bronze figure of a performing dog (modeled similarly to period circus/performing bears or poodles). The animal stands upright on its hind legs atop a gilded brass pedestal. It holds a horizontal brass bar or "balancing pole" in its mouth, which is designed with curly wire hooks specifically used to hang a pocket watch.The entire figural mechanism rests upon a circular grey marble or porphyry basin base, which serves as a vide-poche (catchall dish) to hold keys, coins, or the watch chain. The base is elevated by decorative gilded bronze feet. See less