Elizabeth, I don't know but could it have been a lamp? Its lovely.

Looks like a funerary urn to me.

Could there be a maker on the underside of the handle or on any part of it, get in good light & use magnifying glass to look, Is the iris hand painted?

The Iris are hand painted, there is jsut the tiniest bit of texture to the paint. The glass is somewhat translucent. I will look again for any mark. After coffee.

The bottom has large holes in it and you can see inside the hollow/empty tube.

If you google " victorian ewer " , you will find photos of many similar to yours. I think the type you have was used for decor only.

Thank you ! Mystery solved! Yes that is exactly what it is. I always knew it served no useful purpose as a candle-holder. Wish I had the pair.

You can get a candle to stay upright by taking an old candle & lighting it & let wax drip inside opening & while still warm put your nice candle in & push down a bit.