What's That Thing: The Strangest Finds. Issue 227

Here is a new part of our irregular column "Explain to me what this thing is". You know the rules: people find all sorts of oddities and show them to the omniscient Internet experts on all issues. Let's see what they got this time.

1. Strangely shaped metal handles





This is a handle for opening the burner of a cast-iron wood stove.



2. What is the post installed near this bridge on the playground for? It's inconvenient



The post is installed so that skaters and cyclists would not be comfortable riding on the bridge, which is intended for children.

3. A small ceramic thing with holes. On the bottom there is an inscription "Made in Italy"



This lipstick stand once stood on the dressing table of almost every Italian woman.

4. Strange recesses behind the benches in a Catholic church



Before the invention of air conditioners, cardboard fans were inserted into these recesses during the hot months. Sometimes prayers or photos of the church where they were issued were printed on them.



5. Quite a weighty piece of wood



A police baton.

6. What is this red thing? Small, about the size of a lighter. There is an inscription "oxo" on the side



Reusable clip for a bag of bread. Oxo is a company that produces various kitchen utensils



7. Silver item from Brazil with the inscription "Humanidade Liberdade Igualdade" (translated from Portuguese "humanity, freedom, equality"). Fits in the palm of your hand. Looks like part of the handle of some object. Hollow, as if it is put on something.



Passadores de loro are metal parts used to attach stirrups to the saddle. They can be both decorative and functional and are often made of "alpaca", an alloy similar to silver, but consisting of 55% copper, 20% nickel, 20% zinc and 5% tin. This composition was first obtained by Mexican jewelers.

8. A cloth bag on a wooden stand



A chorreador is a coffee-making device used in Costa Rica in which hot water is passed through coffee grounds placed in a cloth filter mounted on a wooden stand and then dripped into a mug.

9. A metal object found in the forest by a metal detector. On one side is the inscription "RMS Aquitani" (Royal Mail Ship Aquitania), on the other side is a ruler



Sailors carried combs in such cases. The ruler is needed to measure the length of hair during inspection.



10. What is this unusually shaped box for?



For storing baking sheets.