Featured What on earth is this?

One of these, only dismantled and silver:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/114117162957

 

Not sure why a spike would be needed if setting a candle into an item that appears to be fairly deep.

The year letter is for 1910, but regardless, sponge cups are still made, my Mom always kept a glass one on her office desk, not just for stamps and envelopes, but also for moistening her fingers when sorting papers or counting cash - personally just can't see a use for any post.

One of my thoughts as well, but my brief search found none with a similar design or a center post (though some didn't show the interior)...


~Cheryl

 

I missed that one as well...

 

were any of the others.....similar?

 

I'm not finding other reasonable explanations ..... so far.

 

Nothing similar at all.

 

This sounds like an interesting possibility. I’d ask OP if it smells like ashes? Old ashtrays usually still stink even after many decades.

It is definitely from the era of the ash tray. The ”spike” part looks like it’s meant to receive a specific part rather that to impale a soft item to me.

Here is an elkington ashtray with a lid just to prove they were making this type of thing. Not the same model though.
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/315628-elkington-plate-unusual-tabletop-smoking?in=activity