Be the first to guess what the pictured item is by leaving a comment below. If you have your own whatsit, our editors can include it in a future post. Please send an email to editor@kovels.com and attach a clear picture, the size and any markings. Hopefully, we will be able to identify it for our readers! 

The pictured item is 10 1/4 inches high.

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Kovels Item

24 responses to “Happy #whatsitwednesday!”

  1. ladygrey64 says:

    Is it what was known as a wax jack?

  2. njskiier says:

    A clip for canvas and palette for paint sll to paint miniature paintings like they did in 2800’s

  3. Breeze1964 says:

    Lion’s like tool to use for melting materials.

  4. kovels.com says:

    This is a wrought iron rush holder lamp from the 18th century, 10 1/4 in. h. Photo: Hess Auction Group

  5. zvicki says:

    This reminds me of what my Dad used to make lead bullets, If it’s heavy cast iron, anyways? Or, the other thing I had in mind is for making lead sinkers – for fishing. Seems like a metal gets melted in the “spoon” and turned into something useful?

  6. xiaodao says:

    rush light

  7. esperanza121 says:

    It is for holding a little dish in which to melt things.

  8. artist123purple says:

    The item is a daily pill holder. The pills are placed on the spoon to remind the person to remind the person whom the pills are for to take the pills by a nurse or other caretaker.

  9. Shurra says:

    I think it’s a “polite” way of asking for a gratuity for a service, such as getting nails or hair done, the bathroom attendants, etc., back in the day when a coin would be most welcomed and the appropriate amount. This “tip stand” would be discretely placed so the recipient of the service could easily put a coin on the “spoon.”

  10. Cdeyes says:

    candel holder

  11. Alpine9 says:

    Sealing wax melting stand?
    A candle (or other fuel source) flame would be under the ‘spoon’ containing the sealing wax.
    Or, maybe it assists w/the use of a Bunsen burner?

  12. flash472002 says:

    Could be designed to hold incense while it burns. Looks like the device could also be used to cut pieces of the material that’s burned.

  13. Tallulah761 says:

    To hold calling cards.

  14. Starbucks73 says:

    Rush candlestick.

  15. Twinoaks says:

    Step for mounting horse.

  16. rochnowski says:

    Maybe a doll stand. Kinda looks like a candle holder also… but, I’ll stick with doll stand.

  17. Andrian says:

    It looks like it could be a stand to put your foot on to have your shoes shinned

  18. CDJR says:

    Hummingbird feeder

  19. clcshop says:

    Some type of holder used in chemistry in the olden days

  20. lhall71373 says:

    curious to find out what it is…

  21. Emeril says:

    Votive candle holder

  22. ewenadamson says:

    Pincers for holding light work. The grip can be increased by adding wieght to the shallow bowel

  23. Curlewqueen says:

    Could it be used as a marker for who is a dealer in a game of chance?

  24. SiemersRafterRoom says:

    A library candle holder from pre-electric times.

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