Featured Things We Have Seen an' Discussed: Without Resolution

@komokwa has made a suggestion that will serve as the only 'formal' criteria for inclusion in this thread, other than the Title; If it hasn't been shown an' discussed in Antiquers, please select an appropriate forum to introduce your puzzles an' queries to us.
Otherwise this is a free-for-all for rehashing nagging open questions about stuff that seems to defy identification.

For openers, I offer this ancient cast-iron mystery tool:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/tool-without-a-name-or-imagined-purpose-your-turn.71252/
Thanks, as always, for lookin in...

 

& as promised , I'll toss this conundrum out there for fresh eyes....and better minds....or just goofy suggestions !!!!!

A wierd streamlined thingy that might stump you.

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(Don't you sometimes wish there was a way to delete your own stupid posts?)

 

Well it seems it's for heating as the wires are ceramic insulated to radiate heat. Whether it be for attaching in a car or a 110v plug in for inside the house is a mystery.

Ceramic insulators for heating wires/elements.......

 

The post I would have liked to delete was me pointing out that komo's odd item looks like your avatar.... duh, I quickly realized that everyone but me already knew that!

 

better late , than never...

 

One thing everyone knew but me was OAP. I thought, why is everyone going on about OAP, where on the item can I find OAP???
Don't worry, I found it, finally!

 

I forget....but has someone already suggested that it might be intended for heating curling irons? Similar to this, found in a search for "vintage curling iron heater."
And that weird fin could be stylized logo of manufacturer, "OAP" or "PAO"


at https://www.ebay.com/itm/1260909460...1291&msclkid=56be75631b3b13ccc92310eeb5a1ccba

 

They have, in the first thread. I don't remember if that was deemed possible by Stephen.

 

Possibly a vintage heating/lighting element (auto ?),transformed into a piece of folk/funk art ? There are def stranger items in the world of art-this one went for GBP 187,500 at Christies.

 

Yah .... no !

 

The 'Art World'-go figure ? The above piece (the GBP 187,500 Christies one) was listed as-
LOUISE BOURGEOIS (1911-2010)
Le Trani Episode
stamped - 'LB 2/6 MAF 05' (on the underside)
bronze w/ silver nitrate & gold patina, in 2 parts
77⁄8x 11 x 11 in. (20 x 28 x 28 cm.)
Executed in 1971
PROVENANCE
Galerie Karsten Greve, Cologne.
Acquired from the above by the present owner.

 

Ok, I know I know nothing like you all, but it looks to me like the photo is a profile of a person, possibly, and it should be turned and looked at like an abstract metal work of a person's face...at least from the side. I would have to see it upright and face forward. Probably all wet.

 

Oh, yeah, I see it...................

 

Robot Chicken ?

 

Never was able to identify this artist. Odd thing is, that when I first bought it, I was able to peg it to a listed artist and failed to write it down. Guoache on paper and quite large.

 

I'm with you Brad-many signed pieces,none deciphered yet.

 

Did you try google lens on the pic of the signature? At least you know it was painted in 1976!