IT IS A NEAT PIECE AND THE GOLD WRITING IS BEAUTIFUL. THE SERIAL NUMBER IS B1030603 AND IT HAS THE SPHINX DECOR ON IT. THE LAST PATENT DATE IN A SERIES OF PATENT DATES (SEE PHOTOS) IS APRIL 7, 1896. I DO NOT KNOW MUCH ELSE ABOUT IT.
IT CAN BE A GREAT PIECE TO RESTORE OR USE AS A DECORTAIVE PIECE AS A HIGHLIGHT IN ANY ROOM!