Featured Anyone know what this is?

Hi all,

My first post here, so I hope I’m doing this right!

My friend has this object and he’s taken it to a few antique stores but no one has been able to identify what it is.

I’ve taken a few pictures and am hoping someone will know. One of the shots is next to a snooker ball to give an idea of size.

Any help greatly appreciated!

 

Welcome!
~
Quickly go to edit and put your cursor to the bottom right of the last photo and backspace till you drop all the dupes.
Great clear photos too!

 

Longpot, I'm not familiar with the size of a snooker ball, so I'm not quite sure how big this item is.*

I can tell you that it's silver plated, and made by:

Martin, Hall & Co
in business 1854-1934
based in Sheffield, UK

ref:
http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_M.html

* Would it fit an egg, and maybe keep it warm?

 

2-1/16"

 

GOOD JOB!!!

 

Here's my WAG...could it be for warming a serving spoon, hot water in lower chamber, spoon rests in bowl, with fluted lip to keep it from tipping out, handle of spoon rests between the divided loops on handle of item.

 

5.24 cm.

 

I'm sorry, Longpot, where are my manners, welcome to the forum.
It is a very elegant item, no matter what it is used for.

 

Really, that makes sense!
http://www.homethingspast.com/spoon-warmers/

http://www.onlinegalleries.com/art-...ll-&-co-richard-martin-&-ebenezer-hall/196538

 

Ebay old auction:Antique Martin Hall Silver Plate : A Unusual Victorian Spoon Warmer C.1890

 

Kudos to Sandra!

 

Why Thank You Kyratango. I have learned so much from you and the other astute posters here, glad I could contribute with a lucky guess.

 

Well, how cool is THAT? (...and do I need one to add to my stock of odd old silver items???)

 

I love the Victorians, they had a specialized tool or piece of flatware for each and every possible use

 

This was my first post here, and I’m stunned at all the help that you have given.

Thanks very much, it really is appreciated!

 

Go rifle thru your friends house & find us some more funky stuff !!!

 

I learned something new in this thread. There is such a thing as a spoon-warmer!!

...Whatfor would one warm a spoon?

 

http://www.homethingspast.com/spoon-warmers/

read this....it makes sense...

 

WOW!!! Who knew!! And MY WAG was going to be ‘a holder for a coddled egg’ !!!!!! The warmer makes much better use and sense !!!