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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: jynx72 on June 17, 2012, 03:47:20 PM
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Can anyone tell me what this thing is?? It appears to be made of wood and is badly chipped/scratched. It's hollowed out to about half the length of the upper part. There is writing glued to the bottom that says: “Given to me by Mrs. Mark Ruth, she said she knew it to be at least 200 years old then (1949), as she was given it (as?) a young girl by an old lady and the old lady said it was her mothers. Mrs. Ruth was around 80 when she gave it to me. It is to (___) (..lsie) at her request.”
I found this in an old house I once lived in, tucked away in an upper cabinet, and have always been curious as to what it is. I took it to a local appraisal event once and the men there had no idea what it was. I'm hoping someone here has more knowledge.
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Cool little item , jynx72 .
Could you possibly post another pic , from a 'top' view , with maybe a ruler (for size ref) ?
My first guess is that of a wooden mortar & pestle , for grains .
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I thought you could put a wig on it or a hat, lol
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Appears to be a hat stand for a top hat ??? You can not depend on what one says as far as age !! Memories are very rarely accurate !!
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It's @ 4 1/2" high and the base is less than 3" in diameter.
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Oh !! Well trash that first idea !!
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when you look down into the hole, does it appear to have been worn at all, as if it were a mortar from a pestle and mortar? or does it seem even, clean, and not worn? that information should help as well.
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she knew it to be at least 200 years old
Like a Wagontrain Master of 200+- years ago would always tell the immigrants to "Don't even think about taking anything with you that you can make for yourself after you get there".
@ 4 1/2" high and the base is less than 3" in diameter ....... maybe someone wanted a goblet for drinking out of.
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The inside is uneven. I guess it could be a mortar, but the top opening is only about 1 1/4". I was thinking possibly a candle holder of some sort?
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It would make for a very unstable mortar.
Is there sign of any wear or residue on the inside?
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In the 70s they used to make a lot of decorative accessories that were supposed to be reminiscent of Spanish castles like sconces of oak with chains with crude candle holders. I have a feeling it is something along that line to set on a mantle or distressed coffee table. Sorry I do not want to be a bubble buster but that is what it looks like to me.
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Well, since apparently no one can figure out what this is, I'm just gonna assume it's the Holy Grail and leave it at that! ;D
Thanks everybody for your help!
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Sorry but sometimes one item comes along that we can`t figure out !! Try a museum !! If that old the curator should be able to tell you !!
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Don't be so easy to give up....keep checking back every few days. If it has been around a LONG time...it may take longer than 10 minutes to figure it out!! PATIENCE is virtue!
I am thinking towards sewing.....pin holder....not uncommon to have wooden ones back then.....
IN addition....way back when....spices were highly prized and you would find them in interesting containers n corked.......
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Could it be the top or bottom of a pillar or headboard type fixture or furniture looks to be made decorative and functional,,,perhaps to raise something to a higher level
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Didn`t think about this when you first posted,, but it looks like it was veneered and that is what is peeling, but what is under the veneer ?? Doesn`t look like the same thing ??
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I am confounded by that as well Mart!
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Me too, KC !! That would eliminate the kitchen as to where it may have been used !!