antique black transferware ironstone china toothbrush holder vase, or spooner?

antique black transferware ironstone china toothbrush holder vase, or spooner?
antique black transferware ironstone china toothbrush holder vase, or spooner?
antique black transferware ironstone china toothbrush holder vase, or spooner?

Unusual old white ironstone china piece with a divided vase shape (6 1/2" tall) and small center handle. There is some debate here over what this piece was originally intended for, with the most votes being a Victorian era toothbrush vase, possibly part of a larger wash stand set of the same pattern.

We haven't been able to find anything of the same general form anywhere, so it's quite possible we're completely wrong! Some other suggestions were a spoon holder, or a match holder for long matches, or paper spills. Please let us know if you have any information about pieces of this type, we'd love to hear from you.

This piece is not marked, it could be American, though we think it's more likely English china. We're not familiar with this particular transfer pattern, either... it's all black, which we don't often find.

There are two large old chips to the foot, though the body of the vase and the handle look good, without cracks or repairs.

item #n51414
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