Symbol On Old Photo - ? What Does It Mean?

It may not be a symbol at all, just a decorative element.

I recently did some research on a silver box from Germany. I discovered that Germany required silver to have a certain crown like mark above the company silver mark that was stamped into a piece, after a certain time....I forgot the date at the moment. The top half of what you posted looks very similar.
If I were to take a wild stab, the building might have been the home of a silver company starting with the letter "O"
If ou want to pursue this further, let me know....

Interesting that you say that Marlene since this photo seems to be from a house in and around Cincinnati Ohio; most of the immigrant population was German. I shall look into that aspect of it. Could be a German silversmith lived there...... thanks, my cyber sister!

Couldn't find anything on TinEye, searching 10.6 billion images.

Maybe just a local builder's mark from long, long ago.

- Richard Reeve
ReevePhotos.com

It reminds me a bit of a pineapple which has symbolic meaning as well

How fascinating! I hope someone can help you. Have you tried researching the history of your home or neighborhood?

Edit: Sorry, poor reading on my part. Not your house.

I went to school in Cincinnati...great German community and an old one at that....
here's a place to start:

http://www.925-1000.com/Fgerman_marks_a1884_7.html
There's a link at the bottom of the page for hallmarks before 1886....

I grew up in Sharonville. My mother went to school at the art institute at the Cinci Art Museum. We used to roam the museum all day on school holidays when my mother had classes. (We never got into trouble, btw...)
I remember Mecklenburg's restaurant, somewhere near University of Cincinnati, which had great German food, and one particularly outstanding old waiter. Hot bacon grease wilted spinach greens were superb, as I recall. Maybe I can blame them for my heart problem now... But it was worth it!

The graphic design reminds me of a Schmoo (from lil Abner comic), but as a plant with leaves instead of an animal. I'm sure that's not what was intended.

I lean in the direction that Iris suggested. Before I even read her comment, I thought it was a stylized Pineapple - and those are considered "welcoming" so over the front entrance that would totally make sense.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-brief-history-of-the-hospitality-pineapple-200667

Of course, it could be something entirely different, but that is my guess.

Mark
tisdaleart.com

Might be related to Freemason iconography -- looks derivative of some of it.

Have a look at this image




carmenhathaway.com

The native American Navajo have a similar design called a" Naja" with the inverted cresent moon pendant used in creating squash-blossom necklaces from silver and turquoise.The symbol is believed to offer protection from harm.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/arts/2014/06/08/cincinnati-art-museum-displays-silver/10090733/

I've found several silversmiths with Otto as a first or surname.....that could be it, mary Ellen....the 'O' with required crown top as the silver hallmark.....
I've also seen pine cones pre-crown era....
IT could also be Thomas the Train! lol
Can you tell I have a 4 year old grandson????

OMGosh, thank you all so much for the help and clues. Marlene, Carmen, i will be looking closer into those leads. I also thought of the pineapple but am not sure that the 1900 German immigrant would be thinking along those lines. Gregory, Sharonville? Really? My maternal grandfather was from Mecklenburg. My family is from the Cinci, Reading, Hamilton area. i was born in Hamilton Ohio to 3 rd generation pure German immigrants. I joined a group on FaceBook that deals with memories of Hamilton, Ohio. This is where I saw that sign and for some reason have become obsessed with it's origin.

P.s. To Marlene. Thanks for that link. I will be reading it later during my insomniacical (?) period of non sleep.....however, having looked at it briefly I can say 'yeow! What an amazing amount of artistry, skill, and good taste! I want that toast rack! How beautiful is that! Thanks again...and if ever the museum is ever robbed of that amazing piece, don't come knocking here! I know nothing!

I loved Cincinnati...what a great little town with big city culture! I hated to leave after my 5 years at UC...but I had a job in an art studio back in Cleveland and no prospects in the QUEEN ;(
My best friend married a Cincinnati guy so I was able to go back quite often over the last 45 years....what a wonderful time in my life!

Could be a pineapple - symbol of warmth and welcome, hospitality

Clearly it's two penguins. The one in the back is doing a jumping jack while the slightly chubbier one in the front is doing push ups.

Joshua, whew! Never, ever thought of the old two penguins symbol! DUH,

Carmen, good to see you back of here!

Thanks Mary Ellen -- good to 'see' you too ツ

carmenhathaway.com

I know exactly what that symbol means, but if I told you I would have to kill you. Let's just say that you may want to move, fast, and not leave a forwarding address!!

Okay, I was just kidding. Actually that is the symbol of one of the spin off groups from the Illuminati. They believed that the they and only they produced the best art in the world and would one day rule the art world. They and computer artists, who are not really artist at all according to some in one of the other threads.

I believe we have a member here on FAA.