Pair Of George Davidson Vaseline Bowls

These boats are still in their original metal holders which is most unusual as they are often detached over time. There is a registration mark [212684] pressed into the inside bottom and would date them to the 1890s. They are a creamy vaseline yellow - often called "primrose" by collectors. The top rim and raised pattern on the exterior have a lovely rich opalescence. They each sit on 4 stubby projections or "legs". I think that the brass / copper metal frames were gilded at some stage. Were they posy holders or did they hold edibles? About 18.5 cms long; 7 cms tall and 4.5 cms wide.