What Is It? - #30

S

SifuPhil

R.I.P. With Us In Spirit Only
Location
Pennsylvania, USA
A new month, a new What Is It ... let's see if you folks can pull off a hat-trick here and guess what this item is within the first few answers. ;)

This item is made of polished steel on a wood base and measures 4-1/2" x 5-1/2", but don't let its small size fool you ... it might be a lie. :cool:

mystery-antique-30.jpg

This item went at auction for $1,000 several years ago.

What Is It?
 

Ok.. I will give my 2 cents worth..

The fact it has 2 bolts means the top either comes off or rather opens on a hinge.. That is why there is a flat spot to allow the top to open fully..

Steel means either pressure or heat especially with the 2 bolts..
Could be both heat and pressure.. Although I doubt heat with a wooden base..

Although it could be on a solid base, this one is on 2 boards bolted down which is most likely for support rather than carrying around..

The base part is most likely hollow to allow something to be inside before closing the top which is most likely also hollow..

The white string is probably not important as it looks like just a tag string of some sort..
Actually that white string looks like a noodle..
 
Michael. said:
It looks like a food warmer?

(Candle or wick in oil underneath)
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Not a food warmer, no.

Phantom said:
Is the wood part of the original item or just for display ??
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Good question! It's just for display.

Steve said:
Ok.. I will give my 2 cents worth..

The fact it has 2 bolts means the top either comes off or rather opens on a hinge.. That is why there is a flat spot to allow the top to open fully..

Steel means either pressure or heat especially with the 2 bolts..
Could be both heat and pressure.. Although I doubt heat with a wooden base..

Although it could be on a solid base, this one is on 2 boards bolted down which is most likely for support rather than carrying around..

The base part is most likely hollow to allow something to be inside before closing the top which is most likely also hollow..

The white string is probably not important as it looks like just a tag string of some sort..
Actually that white string looks like a noodle..
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You have an interesting logic process. ;)

Rainee said:
I`ll say its something to do with oil, or vaporiser.. you fill the top with oil and the oil spills out the hole down the sides.
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VERY warm - good one, Rainee!



Now, folks, you just have to figure out what I meant when I said that the small size might be a lie ...
 
I'm going left field... is it a personal home version for printing/ stamping/stencilling a letterhead, or signature onto stationery? The top lifts, the paper is put in position lid shuts, ink goes in the hole.. and then whatever ?.
 
It looks to me like it is the little lid that opens, (water goes in there) and it either heats from underneath, or from being placed on a woodstove, and then steam is going to come out the little hole. So , if that is what it does, then it could be some kind of a vaporizer for a sickroom, or even steam to shape a felt hat. I used to do that with my old teakettle, so I can see this working great for that procedure if it were spouting steam.
It could have a place to plug in to electricity underneath. I once had a really old waffle iron that sort of looked like that underneath, and it was electric.
 
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Diwundrin said:
I'm going left field... is it a personal home version for printing/ stamping/stencilling a letterhead, or signature onto stationery? The top lifts, the paper is put in position lid shuts, ink goes in the hole.. and then whatever ?.
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That's not only in left field, that's up in the nose-bleed seats, but good guess anyway. :playful:

Happyflowerlady said:
It looks to me like it is the little lid that opens, (water goes in there) and it either heats from underneath, or from being placed on a woodstove, and then steam is going to come out the little hole. So , if that is what it does, then it could be some kind of a vaporizer for a sickroom, or even steam to shape a felt hat. I used to do that with my old teakettle, so I can see this working great for that procedure if it were spouting steam.
It could have a place to plug in to electricity underneath. I once had a really old waffle iron that sort of looked like that underneath, and it was electric.
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You folks are a bunch of closet steampunks!

It isn't a steamer though - sorry.

Phantom said:
Soap maker ?
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No, but that's an intriguing idea ...


That Guy said:
* UFO *
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Not its original purpose, but I'm sure if you got mad enough and flung it someone would report it. :)
 
Something you would use at a buffet serving table. You heat up the server, put a candle underneath to keep it hot, and serve food in it. A small opening, so maybe a sauce of some kind, or even warm water to clean your hands after a meal.
 
SeaBreeze said:
Incense burner?
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Nope.

Happyflowerlady said:
Something you would use at a buffet serving table. You heat up the server, put a candle underneath to keep it hot, and serve food in it. A small opening, so maybe a sauce of some kind, or even warm water to clean your hands after a meal.
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Sorry, no.

SeaBreeze said:
Potpourri holder?
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Nope.

Jillaroo said:
Is it an ink well??
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Nope.

Anne said:
It heats something - it sprays, or vaporizes...... is it used mostly inside or out??
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I believe it is used almost exclusively outside, although there might be a few cases where it could be used inside of a building.

Remember, everyone ... the size might be a lie, or at best a poor representation of the truth.
 
Sooooo..... is it a scaled down model of something the likes of which sales reps would have used for demonstration of a much larger product?

Would heat have been involved at all in its use?

More questions than answers here so, ... hell, guess time. Waffle cooker?
 
Diwundrin said:
Sooooo..... is it a scaled down model of something the likes of which sales reps would have used for demonstration of a much larger product?
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Right on the nose! It's a sales rep's model. Good job!

Would heat have been involved at all in its use?
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I hope not, otherwise you'd have breakfast. :tongue-new:

More questions than answers here so, ... hell, guess time. Waffle cooker?
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Not a waffle cooker, sorry. But you've gained ground for the others ...
 
Could this be some kind of solar cooker??? Maybe water in the bottom??



I've No clue, actually......:lol:
 
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