I was able to make this picture a decent size this week, which is a good thing since it has all sorts of decorative detail on it.
You might be able to guess this one. I don't know if I could have guessed it, but knowing what it is - I can see that you might.
This is Victorian, not surprisingly. Some Fridays we'll definitely delve into other eras but so far all the detective work has been in the 19th century.
Answers forthcoming on Monday, as usual!
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Curlicued Thingamajig
Posted by Lidian at 5:07 AM
Labels: Guess the Mystery Object, History Mysteries, Oddities
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21 Comments:
I asked my Daddeh. He said it looks like the little thing on the bottom (which I thought was an inkwell) would be a little burner. And that would heat up the white thing, and stuff would condense into the clear glass thing.
Knowing how much the Vicorians both loved and feared electricity, I'm going to guess that this is a gas and electric lamp. I've seen a lot of lamps with dual functions because they didn't trust electricity 100%. And, I'm 100% positive that I'm 100% wrong. Otherwise, perhaps it traps spirits. They liked them too.
I'm guessing it's a still.
OMG. It's a bong.
I'm going with the condensed gas in the clear jar is lit by the candle. Whatever you call something like that is my guess -flame transference gewgaw?
It must be a still of some kind. But I can't figure it out, since the tubing is so short! Fun, :)
It looks like the bit on the right would make some kind of vapour which is used in the chamber on the left. I'm going to guess it's meterological equipment, possible to measure humidity.
Either that or a Victorian soda stream ;-)
My first thought was a wine dispenser, but now looking at it I strike that thought.
Desalinator?
Gas lamp?
Early bunsun burner?
http://pastperiodspress.com
A condenser?
I would like to think of it as an early coffee maker. He he!
It looks oddly familiar to an old lamp my father has from his great-grandfather. However, this one is so much more ornate.
It looks like some sort of chemical laboratory instrument to me, but I'm not sure exactly what it does. www.satisfiedsole.com
I'm stumped. It does look like something that Sherlock Holmes would have in his laboratory.
It's interesting to look at, but I don't have a clue. I enjoyed reading what the other commenters suggested. I'll be back Monday to see what it is.
Can I change my mind? I think ceemee is right - it's a coffee maker!
old timer- bong
I think it is for distilling essential oils from flowers for perfume.
How much I would love to have that on my office, instead of the big black machine!
I have no idea, It looks like it would be too dangerous to be a heater of liquid, because of the CO2 it would produce from the flame. However the gas would fill the container. Maybe it would glow...
Hubby says It's a Water distiller (makes distilled water). He did that in chemistry lab.Oh yeah he's ancient,lol.
That was going to be my guess, too -- a water distiller. Except I'm not ancient. :-P
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