Featured What on earth is this?

Hi. Any idea what this is? thanks in advance!

 

Looks like a candle holder. But dimensions and a photograph of the item shot from straight on would be helpful. Also, where did you get it and what were you told about it?

Debora

 

Here is a photo taken from the front.

 

Thanks. It’s about 10cm diameter. I inherited it along with a bunch of other miscellaneous items with no info passed on.

 

10cm would be the right size for a pillar candle. And that would explain the spike. Let's see if others agree.

Debora

 

Dont ask me why but I think this was to hold a sponge for a desk.

 

@DragonflyWink

 

Well i'm thinking a ring holder, incense cup, or an old juicer.

 

I'd be thinking sponge holder too. It's too early for a pillar candle holder in that design, if they were used in homes at all, but dead on for an envelope or stamp sponge. You could put a pillar candle in it now though. It's a whatsit and can be used for whatever it's good for.

 

the candle would need an exact fit....

the sponge would fit nicely.

 

Please.... do show us photo's of your suspicions ....

 

i get the impression its something thats missing another part. something that was supposed to fit on top of that bar

 

So am I.
Unfortunately we don't know what the size is, which makes it difficult to say what it could be missing.

 

Agreed...

"It’s about 10cm diameter."

1910 date letter.



I don't know what it is, but a pillar candle holder would be atypical for the period, a spike would be unnecessary, and there's a raised base on the post that would make a candle unsteady. Also doubt it's a stamp/envelope moistener, the post would be unnecessary, even impractical in use, and personally, not seeing it likely for any other uses suggested.

There appear to be two interior lips, one possibly for, as already suggested, whatever rests on that post, the other probably for a lid. That's all I've got, it's an odd item - when time allows, might run though some of my old ads and catalogs, but don't see that happening soon...


~Cheryl

 

Thank you.
Apologies Kelly, I missed that post.

 

Agree pillar candle would be out of period. And, on second look, the spike doesn't appear to be sharp enough to hold a candle. Could well hold a sponge though. Still, 1935 seems quite late for such a thing.

Debora

 

What about those ashtrays where you push a central thing down to cover the ashes/stubs.