What Is The Purpose of This Piece?

I'm still with Terry.
https://www.google.com/search?q=vio...AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=violin+strings+glass+tubes

 

I'm not there.....these string tubes look too large for the holes.......they're grouped too tightly and other than the 1st row...they'd be hidden from showing their labels and specs...

But now....that piece of furniture has been bot lifted from here and shows up on the link Gila provided.....so until we nail down exactly what this is.......Google will show it as something it may not be......Sheeesh !!

 

I mean........just look at the size of those tubes......they're huge !!

 

Violinists do sometimes use tubes for string storage; now plastic of course, and about 1/2" diameter. Some violin cases come with string storage tubes, and a nice velvet slot for them. Straight storage avoids kinking.
And a fixture for sale of strings might have tubes......
But on the furniture piece, I don't quite see how the upper and lower sets of holes would work for string storage, and the mid-shelf seems to be in the way.
And scale would be important; the shelves pictured look to be no more than 12" high; that is not long enough for a string storage tube, which would be more like 18"
And a furniture-type item for string-storage tubes would need to be set up for easy removal and replacement of the tubes....I don't see that here.

 

I think the middle shelf was added..... *scrolling up to check*
Yes, it was.

 

& the holes are 6/16 ths of an inch......

 

I'm going out on a limb....& saying this ....whatever it is...was homemade...and is a one off.

 

I think the middle shelf was added.....

Even so....the indents on the top are facing the wrong way if something was intended to be held; shouldn't they face down on the top, as the bottom indents face up? And if tubes were in them, you'd have to remove the top to get the tubes out, at which point all the tubes would fall out.....most commercial string displays are set up to allow one tube to be removed at a time....
and I think the holes are smaller than most string-tubes I've seen.
So I'm mystified; if something was to be held, why the holes are on the top surface...and what the something might be, I really don't know, but I would not vote for it being string-tubes.

 

Sorry, I didn't see these posts.
all_fakes they are holes on the top, so something would fit in and drop down to the bottom and if needed to remove the something you simply lifted it out rather than remove the top. Yes, the middle shelf is an add on. I agree, I don't think these are for strings but still no idea what it is for. I forgot to mention that this came from the Yukon but don't know if it was made there.

 

I was going to say, an advanced form of Chinese Checkers...