Vintage porcelain caster wheel and socket

This object is a small, heavy utility hardware component, specifically appearing to be a vintage furniture caster wheel with its corresponding square housing socket. The piece is crafted from a smooth, glossy off-white or cream-colored glazed ceramic or porcelain material, which exhibits typical minor surface variations and slight discoloration consistent with age and previous use. The outer housing is a solid, roughly cubic block featuring a recessed, rounded interior cavity designed to securely hold and allow rotation of the cylindrical, barrel-shaped roller wheel housed within. A small metal pin or axle is visible internally, passing through the center of the porcelain roller to mount it to the housing. There are no clearly legible maker's marks, stamps, or signatures visible on the exterior surfaces in the current view, so the identification relies entirely on the distinctive physical shape and materials commonly utilized in antique or mid-century furniture hardware. The overall condition appears generally sound, showing minor spots of surface grime and slight wear, but no major structural cracks or chips are immediately apparent from this visual angle. This type of hardware was frequently used on heavy furniture pieces such as pianos, iceboxes, or large wardrobes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to facilitate movement while protecting wooden floors.

Based on what I can see in the photograph, this object appears to be a vintage furniture caster wheel featuring a cream-colored glazed porcelain roller and a matching square housing socket. Based on typical styling and materials commonly utilized in late 19th- and early 20th-century architectural hardware, I am evaluating this piece under the assumption that it is a period furniture component used on heavy items such as iceboxes or large wardrobes. I can't verify from a photo whether the internal metal pin is original or a later replacement, nor can I inspect the piece for hidden hairline fractures beneath the glaze, which would need physical inspection to confirm. There are no clearly visible maker's marks, stamps, or signatures in the current view, so the attribution relies entirely on visual characteristics. General market demand for individual vintage porcelain casters is relatively modest, as they are typically sought after by restorers seeking period-appropriate hardware for antique furniture restoration projects rather than high-end collectors. The estimated value range of $25 to $50 reflects typical market behavior for a single unbranded antique furniture caster in sound, usable condition. If this item were to turn out to be a modern reproduction, replica, or mass-produced copy 'in the style of' antique hardware, the value would decrease significantly, likely dropping to just $5 to $10. To fully evaluate and authenticate the piece, an in-person examination by a hardware expert or antique specialist would be necessary to assess material composition, wear patterns, and manufacturing techniques.