I came here to say what Don said. If you look at the carving, it extends on
one side of the plane but is flat on the other.
This image shows that it can lay flat on that side:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0978/7942/products/81369Rc_1900x.jpg

So I think it is a Mitre plane. The inlay around the mouth also suggests
(at least to me) the shape of a Bishop's Mitre. In fact, I might suggest
that it is not supposed to be a functional item, but perhaps a gift for a
Bishop who appreciated woodworking. After all, they purported to work for a
onetime Jewish carpenter.
:)
I think it is is supposed to be displayed on its side, so you see that
mouth inlay.

What makes less sense to me is that the feathers remind me of a native
American chief's headdress. If my Bishop's guess is correct, however, maybe
it is supposed to be an angel's wing(s)?

In any event, Jim has had this plane for a while. It was listed on eBay
back in 2013. It is discussed on this French forum, where the OP doubts
that it is French at all.
http://www.forum-outils-anciens.com/t5599-Varlope-pas-ch-re.htm

Darren Addy
Kearney, NE



On Tue, Jul 10, 2018 at 1:51 PM, Don Schwartz  wrote:

> On 2018-07-10 12:35 PM, scott grandstaff wrote:
>
>> Ok this is super weird.
>>   The blade is very low angle, look how long the blade ramp is!
>>
>
> The angle made me think it could be for use as a mitre plane - a very long
> one!
>
> Don
>
> “Error flies from mouth to mouth, from pen to pen, and to destroy it takes
> ages.” Voltaire
>
> “A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely
> re-arranging their prejudices.” William James
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-- 

“*The Earth is Art, The Photographer is only a Witness*”
             ― Yann Arthus-Bertrand, *Earth from Above*

*- - -*

*PS... I'm always looking for darkroom equipment & supplies, old or new-ish.*