“What is this padded satin item with ribbon ties and a hole in the middle? Appears possibly handmade, like a case for a beauty item.”
Answer: “It looks like it might go on top of a hanger (which is why there’s a hole in the middle). This would turn something like a smooth wooden hanger into one of those hangers with a satin finish/top to prevent light items like slips or lingerie from slipping off the hanger. The ties would be to secure it to the hanger, perhaps. Just a guess though!”
“What is this metal bowl-shaped thing with a hollow handle/spout?”
Answer: “Part of a cream separator.”
“These lead blocks were found in a UK river. 125 g each. Can anyone positively identify them?”
Answer: “They are reminiscent of the Kuberakolam.”
“I got a bag containing 6 of these from China. I have no idea why! What are they?”
Answer: "Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant, Dinosaur Plant, Jericho Rose)"
“What is this big hole that is usually found on milk cartons?”
Answer: “This is actually a measure to keep the milk contained if it’s suddenly dropped, or frozen. Makes the cap pop out if so.”
“Husband’s truck exploded, this came out.”
Answer: “It’s the inside bits, the catalyst, of a catalytic converter.”
“Hollow small glass object with a weird opening. What is it?”
Answer: "Glass vase/flower holder."
“What is this thing? A small gold pig container with a removable tiny spoon for a tail”
Answer: "It’s a salt cellar."
“What’s happening here?”
Answer: “Evaluation trial trenching” is done to make sure there are no important archaeological artefacts that might be destroyed by excavation.
“Why does this Stop sign look different?”
Answer: "These are blinders, typically used so the sign can be read from a narrow angle. They’re also called directional shields. You’ll see them on traffic lights a lot more often."
“Plastic-like, circular object made of ‘cells.’ It can be found on several beaches, in Sardinia (Italy).”
Answer: "This is biofilm used to treat waste water."
“I now own these neon rainbow acrylic mystery sticks. Anyone know what I bought?”
Answer: "These are multi-color acrylic Mahjong pushers."
“I found this when cleaning my parents basement. It’s made out of wood and the paint is heavily chipped.”
Answer: "It’s a phone stand. The vertical cavity is for your city phone book or books. The top is a handle for moving it about."
“What is this toilet’s purpose?”
Answer: "This is a 1950s Standard “Sanistand” urinal for women."
“This fancy hotel has a shallow tub with 2 sides.”
Answer: "You’re supposed to keep your feet in the warm water first and then quickly put them in the cold water (repeat a few times). This is supposed to help with circulation. These tubs are usually used in spas and other wellness or health-related facilities."
“This thing is in the middle of the wall in my 1906 house.”
Answer: "It’s a capped off gas line from when they used gas lighting."
“This metal covering on the floor inside our new house, screwed to the ground.”
Answer: "This is a built-in floor outlet."
“This pumpkin thing opens on a hinge, there is a latch inside with a small glass jar.”
Answer: "It is a vinaigrette, a piece of jewelry containing smelling salts or perfume that women hung from a chatelaine chain in Victorian times."
“I found this weird thing in a junk drawer.”
Answer: "The classic Sunbeam Mixmaster had a juicer attachment which looked like a bowl attached to the top of the mixer. This is the spout from which the juice pours out. The wire part had a small sieve to filter the pulp."
“What is this ice phenomenon I found on the forest floor today?”
Answer: "The term for it is “frost flower” and has to do with moisture freezing as it escapes plant tissue."
“What is this tall piece of plastic with a metal base that collapses into it?”
Answer: "This is a clarinet (or similar instrument) stand."
“I found this while cleaning out the attic. It’s wood, looks handmade, measures 8 inches, but I have no idea what it is or what it does.”
Answer: "It’s a Yacouba Double Spoon — a symbol of hospitality in traditional African art. It represents 2 very distinct universes that are opposite."'
“White plastic object with squares and rectangles; it’s light and has nothing written on it.”
Answer: "It’s a battery holder for the original battery in the Mercedes Benz W168. Source: I had that car (also English user manual page: 295)"
“A small metal object that fits in the palm of my hand. The gold-colored part slides up and down but can be locked in place with the adjuster screw.”
Answer: "It looks like this fountain pen holder for an embosser."
“Small metal bowl with 4 legs and threaded lip”
Answer: “Radiator cap for Ford Model T 1909 to 1927.”
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