A rare antique Georgian mahogany candle shield or screen. These were used in draughty rooms to stop the candles guttering. The majority of screens were made in brass, silver or iron, very few were made in wood, not only because of the fire risk but it would have been expensive to bend the wood, by steaming.
Sometimes these are described as decanter stands, but the few that I have seen have either had wax or burn marks on.
 
This example is very nice quality, there is a circular burn mark on the base from a candlestick.
It measures 30.5cm h x 18cm w.
A similar one is illustrated in Pintos book of treen.