Im Stumped

V

viving

Newbie
Feb 14, 2011
1
0
Ocean Beach
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I'm Stumped

Hi Ya'll. I'm a newbee that's happy to find this site. I found this circular glass and brass "thing" in Del Mar California at a home that was being torn down. The original owners collected lots of stuff that I will be posting after this one.
I know the owners like to study and collected books on drugs and death and had pharmaceutical charts etc...

This piece has stars on the bar that holds the burner or dish. The bottom is open, has lid. @ ram heads are at the top and seems to have hoofed feet.

The brass seems solid. No markings or numbers, just the stars on the bar?
I'm so curious!
Viv
 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

Attachments

  • pipe 025.JPG
    pipe 025.JPG
    120.8 KB · Views: 890
  • pipe 024.JPG
    pipe 024.JPG
    202.2 KB · Views: 878
  • pipe 028.JPG
    pipe 028.JPG
    131.6 KB · Views: 892
Sort by date Sort by votes
Re: I'm Stumped

Could it be a trap for catching some sort of pest - the round plate to hold bait?
Cheers . John.
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

The open bottom reminds me of a bell jar, used to display delicate items; such as an insect or butterfly. Victorians were particularly fond of this sort of display, and bell jars can still be seen in very formal or nostalgic households. Just a guess to try and help.
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

Depending on what kind of death they were into, then it could easily be an old occult item. That's what the rams head and hooves say to me.
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

Maybe it was used to display a pocket watch? I remember seeing decorative Victorian glass cases for pocket watches someplace.
Just thinking out loud.
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

Del Mar California The original owners collected books on drugs and death and had pharmaceutical charts etc...burner or dish

Going out on a limb here, but a far out bongish thing? :tongue3: :laughing9: :laughing9: :laughing9: :read2:
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

mosquito / fly trap?
put the incense bait (meat) on the plate
Bugs will come in from the bottom but cant fly out from the bottom
and of course the top is sealed
Hows That?
Brady
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

Ok, I cant solve this but I think we can eliminate a few things by observation. It was not made to contain anything that could escape nor was it made to protect something that someone was concerned could be damaged. The old bell jars sealed on the bottom to keep air and pests out.
1. The bar across the bottom with the stars on it is keeping the circular glass elevated and the brass feet maintaining an airspace underneath. There would not have been another piece closing the bottom or else this brass piece would not be necessary to keep the glass supported.
2. It appears to have a handle which means this would have been meant to be regularly transported for some reason, either as a function of its use or to transport something else inside it.
3. The beveled glass top would tell me two things; one, that whatever was inside was meant to be observed from also the top -or- would emanate through the top as well as the sides and, two, there was no need for ventilation as needed for a flame in a lantern. A flame would probably crack the glass from the heat.
4. The top does not seal shut. So whatever was to be placed inside, there was no concern for it to escape or be attacked (like from bugs) through the top.

I dont think there is enough symbolism to make it cultic. The rams heads were often used as ornamentation on decorative and utilitarian objects. Plus, the casting is not that great so it seems like a pretty mass-produced thing.
Its a stumper on me. My only suggestion is take it to a shop specializing in antique trade goods from India and ask there. Those guys know their brass and if they dont know exactly what an object is, they likely could send you in the right direction. Good luck! Would be great to get a PM when you find out what this is!
-e
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

i'd say that the tray in the middle held smoking incense. Like the catholics use in their services to stink up, and smoke up the altar area :laughing7:. The priest holds it by the handle and swings it back and forth. That is why most altar boys have asthma and other breathing problems :o.......NGE
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

Dano Sverige said:
Depending on what kind of death they were into, then it could easily be an old occult item. That's what the rams head and hooves say to me.
Click to expand...
im kinda thinking the same thing as soon as i saw the rams heads
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

Hello Viv, Welcome to the forum. I think it is a Victorian 'mourning hair' display mini case. During that era, pieces of hair from the deceased was braided, platted, woven, etc. and made into jewelry (or not) and placed on display or even worn. The rams head was popular during Victorian times, especially with women's jewelry.

When I first looked at your piece, I thought it was originally a case to hold a carriage clock, and the cross piece with stars at the bottom had been later added to convert it to a mini curio for a mourning display. Does the bottom cross piece look like it has been added? I don't mean recently added.


Nice find,
Breezie
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

Absolutely fascinating item. If it were me, I would send an email to MS RAU in New Orleans. Those guys are very good with this era of antiques.
 

Upvote 0
Re: I'm Stumped

:read2:

I think it's a portable Sun Dial.. :thumbsup:

and welcome to Treasure net.... :hello:

SS
 

Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.

Potbelly stove or Blacksmith furnace

⬅️ Previous Thread

Crest ring ?

Next Thread ➡️

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
We Dig Metal Detectors

Latest Discussions

Back
Top