This looks like some sort of wild plant springing out of a weird planter. It is actually a sprue tree for lost wax casting.
The "leaves" are the items to be cast which are rather tiny cat and dog paw prints. They are tiny "charms" I will include in a necklace design.
This is the smallest and highest quantity components I have tried to cast in a single mold. It should go perfectly fine as this sort of casting of multiples is very common. Just new for me.
I posted a similar picture on Facebook, pretending the doctor found it growing close to my heart. Actually impossible but it is something I love to do so the reference was deliberate. It does grow next to my heart.
I'll post the results of the casting in a few days.