Anyone know what the heck these are??

Got them in a lot of antique/vintage stuff and haven't got the foggiest idea what they are. I figure you guys have seen everything and will know.
They are about 5 inches long.
Ideas??

 

They look like brackets that hold lightbulbs & shades on lamps.

 

If they were old I'd say they were candleshade holders.

Sit one on top of a candle, with a paper or other shade on top, as the candle burns down the holder and shade sink, keeping the same relative shade/flame distance.

 

Afantiques you are a genius. Just googled candle shade holders and yep there they were. Seem to be vintage but don't think they are terribly old.
Thanks gang

 

Hi,
I agree about them being newer. I have some that are 1880s and some that are 1960. The 60s ones are still shiny brass. The older ones look more "pewter" like.
I have the shades also. The silk cloth covering and dangles are rotted away but the newer ones just had the metal shades.
greg

 

This bends my mind. I can't for the life of me envision how they work. I even looked for drawings or videos on Google. Please, which end is up, when it sits on the candle?

 

The wick of the candle peeps through the sleeve opening.

I've got two spring loaded ones where the candle sleeve tops are fixed and the candle sits on top of the spring. This way the candle always burns at the same height

 

Piccies:

 

Hi Gila,
The bottom sits on the candle and the top holds the shade. The older ones had a pincer that grabbed the candle instead of the solid piece sitting on the candle.
greg

 

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, okayyyyyyyy, I get it. Thanks!