Antique Round Braided Silk Tabletop Mat - One of Two cast iron owl I really love it just

I really love it just as an object

Signed and dated 1998

This one is also unusual for its underside

typically featuring bold but organic shapes against a white slipped stoneware body

at least that I can see

Antique Round Braided Silk Tabletop Mat - One of Two cast iron owl I really love it justI've become such a fan of these old braided mats, and look at a lot of them before landing on ones I really like. This and one other I am listing I found together and assume were made by the same person, who I think had a very good eye for color and pattern. Good on the table under the coffee pot or tea pot or dishes or candlesticks or whatever. 14 1 8" in diameter and in good antique condition on both side, definitely used and a bit faded, but lovely.