Cobalt & Floral Match Holder

This is a rare match striker / match box holder made by Meissen in the late 19th century. It is hand painted with two cartouches with a floral arrangement inside surrounded by some nice gilding on a deep cobalt blue ground. More gilding along the rim and in the open area between the floral panels. The center has a column on top of which you would put the outer part of the matchbox so you can trike your matched on that and the matches would fit inside of that. Hard to find this piece in this type of superb decoration! The dish is in perfect condition. It is marked with the underglaze blue crossed swords mark (first quality) underneath as well as the usual impressed marks, etc. of this period. . The striker underplate is 0.625 inches tall and 5 inches in diameter. The central column sticks up about 1.5 inches. Please email me for more information or other pictures.