What-is-it question XXIV.

Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 12:47 pm

This item was made by Gorham in 1895. It's 3.75 inches high.
What was it called or used for?

Pat.
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Post by **dognose** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:34 pm

Hi Pat,
Would that be a pomander?,
Regards Trev.
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Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:40 pm

Hello Trev.
A pomander is a good idea, but that is not what this is.

Pat.
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MLF · Post by **MLF** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:07 pm

Hello Pat.

Is it a pot pourri bowl?

Best wishes

Mikael
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Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:41 pm

Hello Mikael.

A pot pourri bowl is also a good guess, but that is not what it's used for.
I don't think there are a lot of these around.

Pat.
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Post by **dognose** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:26 pm

Hi Pat,
An incense burner, perhaps?
Trev.
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Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:39 pm

No Trev, it's not an incense burner.

Having a difficult time thinking of a clue. This might be a gift for the person who has everything.
It's not something that most people would need or use very often.

Pat.
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MLF · Post by **MLF** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:46 pm

Hmmm.... a container for smelling salts?

Mikael
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Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:48 pm

It's not for smelling salts Mikael. Hopefully you would use the contents of this piece more often.
This piece is just a container that holds a very common item that most people, now-a-days, would not use often. Back in 1895 they probably used the contents more often. Hope I'm not misleading anyone here. You still see the contents all the time today.

Pat.
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Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:53 pm

Here's a picture of another one made by Gorham around the same time.
Some might call this a desk accessory.

Pat.
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MLF · Post by **MLF** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:59 pm

Ahh... is it an inkwell?

Mikael
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Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:09 pm

Sorry Mikael, it's not an inkwell.

I googled the name and some sites refered to it as a desk accessory. Still, you might find it in other rooms of the house besides the study or office.
Interesting thing, the items I could find like this were all made by Gorham about the same time.

Pat.
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Post by **Granmaa** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:30 pm

Are they string boxes?

Miles
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Post by **2209patrick** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:39 pm

Very well done Miles!
They are called string or twine holders.

Pat.
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Post by **Granmaa** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:54 pm

There were a few made in England, mostly Edwardian as far as I've seen. There is a particularly nice design of an apple with the string coming out of the stalk.

Miles
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