Anyone know what this might be?

[Bill Yazujian]

I recently picked this up and was wondering if it is an ashtray or something else. Looks like cast brass with a pull out drawer and a curved rack of some kind.

[katherina martindale]

pipe stand ? 

[Molly]

I am thinking it is a cigarette "dispenser/holder", mostly because the racks might hold cigars, but I don't think people leave them out in the open air like that.

[Bill Yazujian]

Possibly, but the racks are 3 3/4" apart and graduated from about 1/4" wide at the top to about 1/2" at the bottom. They wouldn't be wide enough for a cigar. very strange.

[katherina martindale]

by the dimensions you just stated i am thinking more that is is for pens and and inkwell 

[Bill Yazujian]

That also crossed my mind too. The circular base looks like it could hold an inkwell and fountain pens would probably fit in the holders.

[tomsantiquesetcetera]

Victorian era brass (?) pen holder. Round part holds a fancy round bottom

glass ink jar. The drawer holds boxes of nibs (pen points), paper clips, scissors, etc., round wooden thing might be a handle, or a rack to dry wet copy, or a paper dispenser--does it come off easily? Like a paper towel holder?

[Michael]

Yep, Tom is correct, I have seen many such pen holders before.  Yours, Bill,  has a draw to house writing papers, inks and additional nibs etc...

[Bill Yazujian]

Thanks Michael. Definitely makes more sense than a pipe holder/ashtray as it was presented at the estate sale. Lol.

[Bill Yazujian]

I think you are spot on. The top cross bar is the same metal and is not removable, so it could be a handle or a drying rack. Different size fountain pens would fit into the curled holders. Looks like that is what it is to me. Thanks.

[vicki hufstetler]

It certainly could be a writing stand, but I think we need to know exact dimensions before we say for certain?

If for instance, it is more like 1.5 to 3' width by 7-10" high - then I would think that the circle in center held a tobacco jar - With a lid, like a humidor. Then the slots would be to hold your various pipes. I've seen this type sit atop the little smoking stands that were very popular in the 1880 - 1920 time frame. 

But, if this is very small - the size of an inkwell, then absolutely the writing stand works!

[tomsantiquesetcetera]

Here's another "Victorian pen and ink holder".  Not for tobacco. This one is currently for sale and has 18 bids, $86.00 USD bid.

If you google:  victorian brass ink pen holder, and click "Images" you will see all sorts of them.

[Bill Yazujian]

Thanks. I'm sure that's what we have here.