Any Ideas On What This Is?

In the interest of learning, I was wondering if anyone could give an idea what this used for. An insert for....?

It is 4-1/2" long, 3" tall, & 1-1/8" wide. The holes are 5/8" wide. They're like test tubes in a glass frame.

 

Don't laugh, Tie-dye.cat, but here is what DH and I came up with (if you do laugh it was mostly DH's idea).

Perhaps a way to judge the color intensity or perhaps viscosity of liquids which "should be/could be" the same color and/or viscosity.

DH suggested it may be some type of paraphernalia for wine makers or wine aficionados. Mostly just a wild-eyed guess though.

 

Toothbrushes? Spices? Posies? Vodka shooters? Do the tubes come out? I have no idea what it is, but while I was looking for some hint I found this great scottie for my sister, so thanks - cheers

 

It does look like it could be for that. I didn't know until now that what GBers call lollipops we call popsicles.

 

Do not freeze in glass or hard plastic

I'm going with toothbrush holder

 

I agree freezing them might not be a good idea (and 3 inches is a bit short for popsicles) , but what about making rock candy? Just need something along the top to hold the strings or sticks. Different color in each tube. Even if that's not what it is, it should be.

 

Interesting suggestions so far! Judging the color or viscosity of something isn't so far-fetched - these do remind me of little test tubes.

Popsicle makers? I'd think the glass would crack after just a few uses, but it's worth a look at. Thanks Davey!

Ahh rock candy, but then the holes are so skinny that you wouldn't be able to get the candy out. How frustrating would that be - wait for days for the crystals to grow, only to be unable to get the finished product out!

Elarnia, the tubes don't come out. And an adorable toothpick holder - I love scotties!

 

I like the toothbrush holder idea. I'm so used to a round toothbrush holder that the idea hadn't occurred to me.

 

The Scottie is a spoon holder.

 

Art Deco-ish vase for small flowers? Hatpin holder?

I was thinking maybe to hold artist's brushes, but methinks it's too short for that.

 

Lipstick holder?

 

Foot-long hotdog holder!

 

Keep the suggestions coming - I'll check out anything, even if only out of curiousity.

I actually found some individual glass toothbrush holders from early 20th century, but nothing quite like this so I don't know if it's that.

Pat, I wondered about a lipstick holder though the few that I've seen seem a bit wider and are made of metal. But maybe I'll try googling to see if I can find a glass one.

 

I know I've seen this form before, so it must be findable

The flutes in the glass would rule out it being a comparator

 

Not ruled out as a "comparator" if the "flutes" (rods) in the glass are "light diffusers." The comparison of whatever was placed in the tubes would be performed from the top of the tubes (as per DH). It could be old scientific laboratory equipment.

 

The glass is a utilitarian type of glass. Probably made by one of the kitchen glass companies. Hazel Atlas made ribbed refrigerator glass and was known to make specialty glass on order. Other companies would be Atlas, Owens, maybe Jeanette.

 

Though I have never seen one like this, I would bet it's a flower vase or frog. There was a kind of epergne in the 1920s that had multiple testube sized vases bound together, and the ribbed refrigerator glass looks to be fancy not practical.

 

Hi,
As far as I am concerned it is a toothbrush holder. The ribbed glass was very popular in the 20s. I had a soap holder that was ribbed like that.
greg

 

Hi Pat,
The scottie is a creamer. Have one around here somewhere. lol
greg