What's That Thing: The Strangest Finds. Issue 214

People constantly invent and improve various objects. And of course, it is impossible to embrace the immensity, and know the purpose and functionality of all objects in the world. In this post, you will see interesting things with an incomprehensible purpose.





1. A friend found this item in her grandmother's kitchen. Chrome metal parts match brown plastic handle



It is used to lift jars out of boiling water when canning.

2. A glass or ceramic vase-like object found underwater in Nova Scotia, but its origin is unclear. What is it?



Vases of this size were typically used to store oil, which was used in perfumery or as a funerary rite called lekythos. For its size, it has an incredible amount of detail that is not usually found in souvenirs.

3. Two metal rectangles: one thick with a ribbed side, the other with a serrated blade



This is a magnesium igniter, but the flint is apparently lost.

4. What is this heavy metal hand?



Handmade brass ashtray.

5. What is this thing? A metal chain with spikes?



This is a holder for a cloak or cape. The chain is heavy enough to hold the cape on the shoulders and chest. This cape pin has a point that goes through the fabric and then comes out, and the circle rotates, acting as a buckle and holding the fabric in place.

6. Found at a sale of old woodworking tools



This tool is called churi. It is used for weaving carpets.

7. What is it? It is made of yellow plush fabric, and its base is hard



This is a stand for a teapot. You put it in the middle, close the lock, and the teapot stays hot for a couple of hours.

8. Antique massive metal device



This is a mouthpiece puller for wind instruments. But it is missing the part above the central screw.

9. A table with a wooden object attached right in the middle



This is a coffee table with a stand on which you can hang coffee cups or mugs.

10. What is this wooden block with the beveled part at the bottom for?



Wine display case. The top part is for corks.

11. What are these hard plastic things? Their "handles" do not extend like a towel holder if you hang it on the wall



Hooks for clothesline.

12. Hand tool. About 20 centimeters long, made of brass and steel



This is a caliper for carpenters or boat builders to measure the dimensions of wood.