Help! What is this?

LizzieB
by LizzieB
I bought this at an estate sale because it was interesting...but now I don't know what to do with it! It kind of looks like a beetle or a type of "vase" but it is not closed to be able to contain plants or flowers. But it has little rings like it was meant to hang something. On the back is written in sharpie "Santa Fe Sculpture". Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Front
Side
Santa Fe Sculpture?
  19 answers
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Aug 19, 2014
    Interesting piece! The rings may have held chains as for a light fixture, and quite possibly something is missing.
  • Hannah V Hannah V on Aug 19, 2014
    So interesting! The ends look like good spots to hang something cool like hanging candles or succulent glass terrariums maybe?
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Aug 19, 2014
    No idea. But I would use as a coat hanger.
  • Sioux Pingree Sioux Pingree on Aug 19, 2014
    Looks upside down to me. Turn it around and the rings will hang down. Maybe it held lanterns? Just guessing.
    • Gail Gail on Aug 19, 2014
      @Sioux Pingree I'm liking your answer that it is upside down. Just the way the rings are hanging don't make sense that way. Once turned I still don't know what it is.
  • Linda Bailey Linda Bailey on Aug 19, 2014
    Lantern hanger.
  • Lena Janson Lena Janson on Aug 19, 2014
    Old fashioned hat/scarf rack?
  • Bananas! Bananas! on Aug 21, 2014
    I vote lantern hanger too! just find some glass globes with hangers and try it out!
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Aug 23, 2014
    Hi Lizzie, you might want to contact one of the art galleries in Santa Fe or contact the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau @ http://santafe.org/perl/search.cg They may be able to help you locate the artist for this piece. I think it is an awesome piece myself, and would do what the others have suggested by turning it upside down and hanging lanterns or hanging plant baskets from it. Good luck!
  • Kathleen Kathleen on Jan 07, 2015
    Have no idea but it's really cool.
    • LizzieB LizzieB on Jan 07, 2015
      Kathleen- it's really funny that you are just now commenting on this because I was doing some cleaning this past weekend and have this piece in the "giveaways" so if you or anyone else is interested in it, I'll be happy to give it to you!
  • Kathleen Kathleen on Jan 07, 2015
    I just saw your post and I would love to have it. I live in wichita Kansas and could send a box with postage to you that's a lot of trouble for you to go to. So let me know how you would want and if you really do want to do this. I am thrilled at the offer.
    • LizzieB LizzieB on Jan 07, 2015
      I appreciate the postage offer and if it's over $20, I may take you up on it! Otherwise, I am happy to give to someone who wants it V. taking to Goodwill :)! So email me your address and I will send out this weekend- LizzieBx@aol.com.
  • Kathleen Kathleen on Jan 08, 2015
    Kathy.shipley@att.net. - Have no idea how to just email to you without putting it out there. I am pitiful lol
  • Marci N Marci N on Jan 14, 2015
    Would make a cool plant hanger.
  • Kathie taylor Kathie taylor on Mar 07, 2015
    I'm wondering why this post has just appeared on my screen....long after the fact! My guess is, where the little hole is a tube of the same material (copper, brass, whatever) It would have been joined by another piece in an upward position...probably to hold candelabra.....too bad if you 'gave it away'...Lots of people would have bought it, myself included!!!!
  • Dorothy Yates Jackson Dorothy Yates Jackson on Mar 09, 2015
    That inscription, "Sante Fe Sculpture" might mean the name of the shop where it was purchased or just that the owner only knew that it was made by a sculptor in Santa Fe. I Googled that phrase and saw many bronze sculptures. Look at a few of those, and you will find names of sculptors and web sites for them. They would answer you probably, if they recognize who made it. I don't know about the upside-down deal, as the nail-hole is in the top, looks like to me for balance. I do think something is missing. Coat rack would be a good use, as it would attract more notice there as a conversation piece. May have sold for a good price originally.
  • Kelly S Kelly S on Mar 09, 2015
    I have something similar is structure that was my great-grandmother's. It has a small hanging metal pots for putting house plants in. At least that what she used it for.
  • Donna Demmers Donna Demmers on Mar 10, 2015
    Just a guess, maybe its one of those things that use to help wth taking shoes or boots off?
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Mar 11, 2015
    The small hole could have been for a gas line.
  • Marie Craft Freeman Marie Craft Freeman on Mar 18, 2015
    Door pull for very large doors.
  • Millie Millie on Mar 22, 2015
    Whatever it is, it sure is cool, and like the ideas what to use it for....good fine.