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What is it?

This has been in my Opa’s house for as long as I can remember.  It’s always sat in the corner by the fireplace, so I always assumed it was a bellows.  As we were cleaning out his house, we had a pile in the middle of the family room that was the “up for grabs” unclaimed pile.  Believe it or not, this was in that pile.  Although I love all things old and appreciated it, I don’t have a fireplace and I didn’t want to take it home to sit in my basement.

But then, my uncle started playing around with it and he told me what it was.  Well, it was too cool to stay in the middle of the room, so I moved it to my pile.

Does anyone have any idea what it is?

It’s about 3 1/2′ long, so it’s pretty big.

Maybe I’ll send a prize to the person who gets it right first!

Guess away…

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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47 Responses

  1. It looks like a big fat wooden doughnut to me 🙂 Yeah, probably not what it is huh? Can't wait to see if any smartypants know what it is.

  2. I think the date thingy is a grave marker. I have seen those in little cemeteries in the South. Since that is my birthday, if you decide to sell it, please let me know.

    Thanks
    J

  3. I was gonna say the date thing was a grave marker as well, because it seems I have seen one similar before placed on the graves of "unknowns". I know a gal who actually is involved in a geneaology project where they go to various grave yards and take photos of all the headstones & markers & wotnot. Then they post the info online to help with people who maybe are searching for ancestors they can't find. There are thousands of folks involved in this & I think it is grant funded so I am sure she would have seen one before and may be able to tell.

    The others- ???? I'll be interested to see if anyone knows too!

    Cool finds tho! =0)

  4. Hmm the marker thing looks like it could've gone in a building when they erect them. A huge donut/bagel maker hmm what the heck is that thing?

  5. Is it something to set a round-bottomed bowl (made from clay or wood) on so it doesn't tip? Kind of hard to tell how big it is. Karen

  6. It looks like an old angel food cake pan… but I'm pretty sure it would catch on fire in the oven, soooo.. I'm guessing I'm not a smartypants either.

  7. Ha! Love your comments! You ladies are a hoot. And here I was just looking to see what y'all thought things were!! I don't have a clue but agree that the first item is a grave/date marker. Please do another post when you find out what these are!! We want to know!
    Blessings, Doni

  8. Ha! Love your comments! You ladies are a hoot. And here I was just looking to see what y'all thought things were!! I don't have a clue but agree that the first item is a grave/date marker. Please do another post when you find out what these are!! We want to know!
    Blessings, Doni

  9. I haven't the faintest clue!

    However, if you still need sheet music, I have some for you! I bought some at a flea market the other day and would love to send it to you if you want it. 🙂

  10. I used to make a lot of crafts. Not anymore I hope. I love handmade things, but I think the distinction is when the item has a fashionable function.

    I'm with Judy.

  11. Lemme see… a jello mold, no, the first toss across game to sling the donut on the oh well no, A triangle hat mold? Oh golly not knowing the size here hmm. Cheese mold? Ok, I give up.

  12. The first could go either way memorial or house. I make stones for cemetarys and have seen these also, they are generally bronze. One of that age should be bronze of a very good quality.
    The wooden cicle looks like some sort of sizer to me too.

  13. The marker looks like some we have locally that were placed into brick streets to denote date of completion.
    Can't wait to see what everything really is!

  14. I have absolutely no idea what the last item is, but some of the suggestions have given me a giggle!! I love the date marker!!~ Tina 🙂

  15. Hi Marian,
    Just catching up again. I have no idea what the last items is, but they all look really cool. Love that wood patina.
    Thank you for sharing all your 'how to build a business tips'. I really need them. I have dreams, just not enough courage to make them real (the infamous 'what if I fail' anxiety).
    And that shop you are selling at looks fabulous. Next time I visit the States I just might have to make a detour to visit it.
    Oh and I love your balls!! 🙂

  16. The last one, someone already guessed, but I would say a hemmorroidal seat thingie… Yup yup, good thing they make them cushy now…

    First one, I would also say a kind of marker on a house, there was one on the home I grew up in…

  17. I hear ya on the "crafty" thing. I get really annoyed when people say "oh you are into crafts" Nope, I'm an artist but if they can't tell the difference I figure my explaining the difference won't help.

    The round piece is also a milliners form for forming brims I believe. I love hat blocks!

  18. The date is probably from a dedication ceremony, marking a public building, monument or a church. The date is the dedication date because a construction date would not be that specific.

  19. if you cut the circle in half, it's the handle to an old iron. My husbands grandfather worked in the iron forge and we have a few of these around the house.
    Kathryn Endy

  20. As a HUGE fan of Homer Simpson, it is the visual that lets the buyer know that DONUTS are for sale in the shop.

    Really haven't a clue, but has anyone noticed that even the tools to create items, back in the day, were made with care and skill?

    You will tell us what it is and we shall all sound like Homer and say, Duoh!

  21. Thanks for putting up the picture of my package. I posted a link on my blog to your posting! Looking forward to seeing your projects you have upcoming with the sheet music!

    Laura, Finding Home

  22. I really don't want to be rude, but if I would try to guess what that date sign was I would say that it looks like one of those engravings for cemetery, like when the person was born and when died… LOL. You know, I'm from Brazil and this kind of sign is very commom around there, specially in some very old-fashioned cemeteries. I don't have a clue though about it around here in US. 🙂

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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