What Is The Purpose of This Piece?

Hi,
Trying to figure out what this was used for. Stands 2 feet in height, the middle shelf was put in by the owner and he has had it for about 40 years. The holes on the top line up with the indents on the bottom - they aren't holes just indents in the wood.
Any ideas appreciated.
Thanks for looking.

 

Seen similar with glass tubes of violin strings

 

Pie safe? Not really I don't think...
Beverly Hills beehive?
Ventilated record album storage?

 

thanks terry, I'll check it out.

 

Well, whaddya know... Terry has it, I believe...
Kingsie, you were so close...

https://www.google.com/search?q=vio...AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=violin+strings+glass+tubes

 

it *IS* beautiful.

 

@cxgirl - what are the diameter of the holes?

 

@lauragarnet 3/8" diameter

 

at 24 inches i thought it might be for canes or walking sticks....

 

Yea, I thought so too but the holes are too small.

 

I think Terry called it... see my link above, please?
Who would have thought? Thunk. Thinkeded. Thought.

 

Thanks for the link gila! Yes, it seems like it could hold violin strings - I didn't know they were sold in glass tubes.

 

Only Terry knew, it seems.

 

& how thick are those tubes anyways ??

 

I don't know, I've been trying to figure that out.

 

I was thinking that the holes are for dowels, to make adjustable vertical supports for books, magazines, etc, to lean against. Based on the photos, it looked like the holes may be too small for the glass tubes I saw?

 

could be Pat. It is hard to judge size by a photo and I can't find any with size given.

 

Its a Polish cribbage board! lol.