[M ELEY]

I picked this up a number of years ago and had it hanging from a hook on the ceiling (I think the chain is much later and possibly modern), but it has little 'feet', so I'm assuming it sat on the floor. I've also sent pics of this off to the Sackler Gallery/Smithsonian, as they have been great at helping me in the past identify a few items over the years (still waiting to hear back. they are closed due to Covid)

OK, so the item stands 11" tall (not counting the movable bracket at the top) and approx 7" diameter. It is made of old bronze (slightly magnetic) that is blackened, but whether this is 'ancient patina' or metal that has been pickled (a common process seen on tsuba, metalwork, etc), I'm not sure. It consists of two semi-circles held together by bronze pins. The top portion with bracket/finial resembling Japanese fixtures I've seen, while the bottom has a cut-out tray that would hold the candle or incense. The whole thing is hollow with open floral patterns and concentric line work (again, I've seen these patterns on Japanese and Chinese, but also Tibetan and even Bhutanese artifacts). The three 'feet' are tiny and pierce through the bottom (not cast with it). The work overall is rather plain compared to the showy/exaggerated 'export' items coming out of China/Japan during the Ching and late-Meiji period. I am assuming this wasn't for export/resale, but purely functional. Was it for a temple? Wealthy family's garden? Any opinions are welcomed!