ADVERTISEMENT

I have always enjoyed the mystique surrounding antiques. There's something enthralling about an object that has stood the test of time. It's not just a product. It has a story. A personality. And if you're also captivated by them, then look no further, for we bring you a subreddit that celebrates the wonders of bygone eras.

Welcome to r/WhatIsThisThing, a thriving community of 2.3 million internet detectives who gather to identify whatever things people submit to them.

Established in 2010, r/WhatIsThisThing has become a true gem on the platform, ranking in the top 1% based on its impressive size. From intricate Victorian-era trinkets to beautifully crafted Art Nouveau relics, let's take a look at some of the gorgeous stuff it has seen.

#1

A Scissors Like Device I Bought Years Ago On Flee Market

A Scissors Like Device I Bought Years Ago On Flee Market

Answer: It’s a vintage umbilical clamp. That’s why it’s shaped like a stork! Eventually this style did evolve into several types of embroidery scissors that the midwives would use while awaiting labor.

OffpeakPL Report

Add photo comments
POST
That Goth Demon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I HAVE THE SEWING SCISSORS OF THEM OMFG I NEVER REALISED THERE WERE UMBILICAL CLAMP ONES

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #2

    Landlord Found It In The Basement. Heavy Metal. Google Isn't Responding Well To "Scary Wand" Or "Aggressive Pleasure Instrument"

    Landlord Found It In The Basement. Heavy Metal. Google Isn't Responding Well To "Scary Wand" Or "Aggressive Pleasure Instrument"

    Answer: Soldering iron. The end you are holding is the head, and is usually copper. The other end would normally have a wood handle.

    CornStarchEnema Report

    #3

    Metal And Glass Locket With Writing

    Metal And Glass Locket With Writing

    Answer: It's called a "theca" and it has relics from saints in it. If it can be confirmed authentic, it's very valuable. Each one of those relics is hundreds of dollars, each.
    lisabrr's answer:
    Saint reliquary made up of bone shards that supposedly belonged to said saints.

    Playful-Grape-4430 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Matthews
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ironically enough, if the authenticity of the relics were to be confirmed, this would be highly valuable, but impossible to sell in Christian circles, as it’s a serious sin to monetize relics. It would go well in a museum, especially a religious themed one.

    john love
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But it's not a sin to monetize the word of God. Just ask every super church pastor and televangelist

    Load More Replies...
    Mav Mav
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    who's cutting up dead saints' bones to sell in medieval markets??

    Doctor Strange
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ironically even 'authentic' relics such as these, seen in museums are actually fake. People would often rob graves and take pieces of bone, etc, and then sell them to the church as 'the finger bone of saint so and so' as a quick way to make money. So most, if not all reliquaries are fake.

    María Hermida
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. It reminds me of a book by Humberto Eco, where this adventurer called Baudolino gets a dozen heads of John the Baptist to give as presents to the different kings he encounters along the way. He has the "real" one and eleven fakes, but they get mixed and nobody knows which one is the real one, so all of them become "the real one".

    Load More Replies...
    SnowPardZZ
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Huh! I always wanted little shards of bone from dead people! Totally not creepy.

    María Hermida
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Disgusting. Of all the things I hate in religions, this body part market is the worst. It's unnatural and disgusting. I think it's only a Catholic thing, but correct me if I'm wrong. Why keep human parts as decoration? Dictator Francisco Franco had the mummified arm of Saint Teresa on his desk, as a source of inspiration. I saw a picture and it was a dreadful thing. The dictator himself was a dreadful thing, too, so maybe that's the "inspiration" he spoke about. I think poor Teresa de Ávila would not have been happy.

    Awesome At Being Autistic
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not just a Catholic thing. Some Muslims do it, too. In 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini died in Iran. His funeral was absolute chaos, people were trying to pull apart his coffin to get a piece of him to have as a relic. It was like starving people trying to get a piece out of a KFC bucket. My best friend and I were sitting in Denny's watching it on TV, and we were pretty taken aback. There's many other religions that venerate body parts, even if it's just hair. Buddhists, Hindus, etc. It's a human thing.

    Load More Replies...
    Loverboy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please don't open it, you'd ruin it, or at least the value of it.

    RL R
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Ok, I will splint these chicken bones into small pieces, shove them in here with some fancy saints names and voilá!! Sucker born every minute!"

    Labellesouris
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't even think about selling a relic...nor any religious artifact. I like to be able to sleep.

    María Hermida
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why? the Catholic Church has been selling "holy" stuff for centuries, and they don't seem to have any remorse. St Peter's Basilica was built by selling relics and Indulgences. The ends justifies the means.

    Load More Replies...
    Peta Hurley-Hill
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love it! I collect religious items(I am very much non religious) .This is gorgeous.

    K Heiby
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think some of those are from original apostles. PLEASE alert the Vatican!

    Joanne Hudson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Locket's" are small and delicate, not meant to anchor you in one spot.

    the redqueen
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok.....is it just me that's wondering, is this a body part, and if so...wtf part is it?!

    Brandy Gray
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tiny pieces of bone from each Saint.. but they're probably all fake and bone chips from random people

    Load More Replies...
    Colin Leamon
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Please don't confuse Christian with Catholic (I'm not saying catholics ain't Christian) but as a Christian I don't give two hoots outside of an historical pov

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #4

    Friend Received This Passed Down From His Great Great Grandfather. It’s Believed To Be From Persia & About 2,000 Years Old

    Friend Received This Passed Down From His Great Great Grandfather. It’s Believed To Be From Persia & About 2,000 Years Old

    Answer: It’s a hairpin or a clothes pin/brooch. If it’s something 2000 years old, you need to see a professional at a museum/institute of archaeology to get it evaluated AND then get it insured.

    trvlbugspnner Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Ok, I Know It’s A Chair, But What’s With The Extended Arms?

    Ok, I Know It’s A Chair, But What’s With The Extended Arms?

    Answer: It looks like a plantation/planters chair. You’d put your sore swollen legs up on the arms after sitting on a horse all day, like a pregnant woman with her legs up in the same fashion. This is why the back is so sloped as well. If you sit up straight it wouldn’t be comfortable to put your legs up like that, but in a reclined position it’s good for blood flow and air flow. 

    Chwk540 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Louie
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oooh, I might need one of these for my sex dungeon… I mean for my entertainment basement?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    Glass Bulb, Filled With Liquid, Metal Disk Floating Inside

    Glass Bulb, Filled With Liquid, Metal Disk Floating Inside

    Answer: Fire Extinguisher. Beware contains Carbon Tetratchloride.

    guitarsail Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Carbon Tet is one nasty chemical. It works as an oxygen scavenger. The bulb explodes and consumes all the oxygen in the room starving the fire. Of course if it breaks and there is no fire it will asphyxiate anyone in the room too. Very dangerous stuff. It also used to be used in dry cleaning. It's right up there with asbestos and tetra-ethyl-lead in the long list of dangerous chemicals our ancestors used every day.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #7

    Found In A Creek Bed In Oak Hill, Texas. Has A Small Hole On Top Of The Head That Goes All The Way Through

    Found In A Creek Bed In Oak Hill, Texas. Has A Small Hole On Top Of The Head That Goes All The Way Through

    Answer: "Seems to be a pendent head from the Caddo tribe. Looks legit and definitely pre-columbian. There's an oak hill Caddo site near there. Could be an import as well but unlikely." -My Archeologist Father

    kennyfool Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    TeenieMeanie
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s that unaired Brady Bunch episode that didn’t end with one of the boys winning a surfing contest. And yep, I’m old.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    Found In My Backyard In East Nashville, Tn

    Found In My Backyard In East Nashville, Tn

    Answer: Looks real for sure! It's a decent fit for Hopewell type points from about 2000 years ago, but a local expert would certainly know more. If it's found in your yard it's definitely yours and nobody would take it if you reported it, and I'm sure your state archaeologist or archaeological society would be happy to tell you more and make a record of where you found it!

    CelestialMeatball Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    EarthGrowl
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Native American tool for poking holes in the English. Sometimes there are bones nearby

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Help Identify What These Are And What They Were Used For? Passed Down By Family - UK

    Help Identify What These Are And What They Were Used For? Passed Down By Family - UK

    Answer: Cover plates for a book. They are generally riveted over the normal cover. Probably for one involving royalty or heraldry from the engraving.

    Haylez116 Report

    #10

    Witt: Silver-Handled Vintage/Antique Clamp Of Some Kind. "Beak" Of Clamp Is Hollow - So Not Umbilical. Clamp Does Not Open Wide Because. US Quarter For Scale

    Witt: Silver-Handled Vintage/Antique Clamp Of Some Kind. "Beak" Of Clamp Is Hollow - So Not Umbilical. Clamp Does Not Open Wide Because. US Quarter For Scale

    Answer: That looks like a glove stretcher. To loosen up the fingers in leather gloves.

    MamaBearsApron Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Barong
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s not only amazing that there is such a unique and specialized tool but that there are one’s that were so beautifully and luxuriously made.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    I Think Brass Man, Head Comes Off And Backpack Opens

    I Think Brass Man, Head Comes Off And Backpack Opens

    Answer: Definitely looks like tobacco paraphernalia. My father-in-law has a huge collection of tobacco jars, pipe stands, and the like, and many of them share similarities with this.

    Matches would be kept in the backpack, the head used to tamp tobacco down into the pipe, and the walking stick used to clean out the pipe.

    AliceOlivia94 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    Found At A Used Book Store. All Parts Rotate And The Markings/Months Makes Me Think It Could Be For Mapping?

    Found At A Used Book Store. All Parts Rotate And The Markings/Months Makes Me Think It Could Be For Mapping?

    Answer: An astrolabe, the ancient times GPS. Used usually for navigation, also for time measure and other science uses. I got one similar as a keyring.

    If it's too small It won't be easy to use, by my experience.

    sterling97 Report

    #13

    Antique From The 1800’s, Have To Figure Out What It Is For A School Project

    Antique From The 1800’s, Have To Figure Out What It Is For A School Project

    Answer: Antique Soap Saver. Small scraps of soap were put in the cage and when people did dishes by hand the soap saver was swished though the dishwater to made suds

    Earffff Report

    #14

    I Found This Under The Floor Boards In A 1800's Era House

    I Found This Under The Floor Boards In A 1800's Era House

    Answer: It removed the top of soft boiled eggs.

    KleverKlem Report

    #15

    It's Made Of Really Heavy Hardwood. Unsure Of The Age Unfortunately. Given By Family Friend. Thanks

    It's Made Of Really Heavy Hardwood. Unsure Of The Age Unfortunately. Given By Family Friend. Thanks

    Answer: It's half a Viking chair

    TheWanderingEyebrow Report

    #16

    This Thing That My Friend Found In The Water

    This Thing That My Friend Found In The Water

    Answer: "This is a figure of the Santerian Orisha Olokun. One hand holds a snake, the other a mask. They typically come off because these figures are kept in water 100% of the time. If you found this in the ocean, then this is more evidence towards that as Olokun is tied to the ocean. This was probably disposed of ritualistically and replaced with a new one.

    Saaintt Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Blue Glass Thing Found At Goodwill. About 5 Inches High With A Hole In Top

    Blue Glass Thing Found At Goodwill. About 5 Inches High With A Hole In Top

    Answer: That is a whale oil lamp. Hand blown glass. Very odd blue color. Not cheap 

    Red-Bell-Pepper Report

    #18

    For Context: It's In A Dentists Office

    For Context: It's In A Dentists Office

    Answer: A very old dental drill.

    reddit.com Report

    #19

    My Grandfather Told Us To Not Remove This When Renovating

    My Grandfather Told Us To Not Remove This When Renovating

    Answer: Aztec calendar. Funny thing, I remember a bunch of these a while ago being smuggled over the border and they were made of meth

    CloudiaNYT Report

    #20

    Found In A Garden. Metallic Object That Closes In On Itself

    Found In A Garden. Metallic Object That Closes In On Itself

    Answer: a Hindu ritual box. It is missing the middle piece that would sit in that central hole.

    ScZi Report

    #21

    Found Metal Detecting Outside Of An Old Church

    Found Metal Detecting Outside Of An Old Church

    Answer: It looks like a Ferrotype photograph. They started being used in the 1850s's.

    turtlesupremelord Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Doctor Strange
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please do not metal detect at historic sites. Removing artifacts without properly documenting destroys a significant amount of historical information that can never be regained. Even if you have permission to be on the property, it is still much better to not do this unlesss you are a trained archaeologist.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Found At Antique Festival Near Atlanta, Is 17" By 5.5"

    Found At Antique Festival Near Atlanta, Is 17" By 5.5"

    Answer: It's for rolling newspapers into a "log" for the fireplace

    gordone1 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    David
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember these from the 70s. And I'm amused at how old they apparently are because IIRC the ads at the time tried to make them sound new and exciting. Turn old newspapers into valuable firewood and all that. Mind you, they didn't work that well IMO but whatever.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    Found At An Antique Market In Wisconsin USA. About 6" Across The Top, The Hole Is About 3.5". Tiny Spittoon?!

    Found At An Antique Market In Wisconsin USA. About 6" Across The Top, The Hole Is About 3.5". Tiny Spittoon?!

    Answer: Child’s potty, a chamber pot.

    skathic Report

    #24

    What Is This Red Leather Devil Figure, Found In A Wooden Box In An Attic?

    What Is This Red Leather Devil Figure, Found In A Wooden Box In An Attic?

    Answer: It’s called a Jenny Haniver. They’re dried skates or rays modified to look like monsters.

    Jaol17 Report

    #25

    Found In A Garden Back In 1959, Still Haven't Been Able To Identify What It Is

    Found In A Garden Back In 1959, Still Haven't Been Able To Identify What It Is

    Answer: It's a broche or pin featuring Napoleon.

    Nautaliski Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Shayne Randlett
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't scroll far enough and only saw the euro. I assumed it was a joke post. Am legit an idiot...

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    Driftwood With Metal Plaque Found On The Mississippi River Bank

    Driftwood With Metal Plaque Found On The Mississippi River Bank

    Answer: Looks like a piece from a bedhead. I think the sheath of wheat is a xtian symbol about reaping what you sow and of death and renewal. Something along those lines. Wheat has been used on double (marital) beds for centuries, including the bedhead and upright posts. They're also used on chairs in a literal or a stylised way and represent prosperity in relation to the 'reap what you sow' type of symbolism.

    Funtimeline Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Deborah B
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A sheaf of grain on a bed would probrably be a fertility symbol, and be carved into the wood. This a) doesn't really look like wheat because the small heads have too few grains, and b) there's nothing to suggest the wood came from a bed rather than any other wood object.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #27

    What Is This Thing? Hanging Over Sink In A House Built In The Late 1800s

    What Is This Thing? Hanging Over Sink In A House Built In The Late 1800s

    Answer: It’s a holder for a glass. There used to be small cylindrical glasses that everyone had near their sinks to grab a sip of water. Which was an improvement from drinking out of a wooden cup from a bucket or a ladle.

    Those claw holders are often in housekeeping sinks in the area where the maids worked, or by the grooms' area.

    Everyone used the same cup/glass.

    estantonfantastico Report

    #28

    Found This In An Old Crumbled House, But I Have No Clue As To What It May Be! It's From A Company Called « Rally »... Help Me On This Mission!!!

    Found This In An Old Crumbled House, But I Have No Clue As To What It May Be! It's From A Company Called « Rally »... Help Me On This Mission!!!

    Answer: The device is being described as a "razor hone", i.e., something for sharpening single-edge razor blades

    Mymyl12 Report

    #29

    Carved Piece Purchased From An Antique Shop In Poland. What Is It And What Could It Be Carved Out Of?

    Carved Piece Purchased From An Antique Shop In Poland. What Is It And What Could It Be Carved Out Of?

    Answer: Rib bone from a whale. In the 2nd pic, you can see the soft marrow tissue inside, you wouldn’t find that inside of a tusk.  

    OkDiet734 Report

    #30

    Found These Glass Goggles In The Wall Of Our 100 Year Old Home

    Found These Glass Goggles In The Wall Of Our 100 Year Old Home

    Answer: old safety goggles with the strap missing. Possibly for brazing work on the plumbing

    prodigyrun Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #31

    My Grandpa Dug Up This Roman Cameo Looking Thing In His Garden In Northern Italy 12 Or So Years Ago, Any Idea What It Could Be? More Info In Comments

    My Grandpa Dug Up This Roman Cameo Looking Thing In His Garden In Northern Italy 12 Or So Years Ago, Any Idea What It Could Be? More Info In Comments

    Answer: It looks exactly like the souvenir intaglios that Victorians collected on their European Grand Tours. They were very very popular and usually kept in a set and framed.

    sktchup Report

    #32

    A Fish Like Object Found In A River

    A Fish Like Object Found In A River

    Answer: Gobeunok or Gogok are comma-shaped or curved beads and jewels.

    Hazzah02 Report

    #33

    Found In The Woods Near The Water’s Edge At My Home In Maryland On The Chesapeake Bay, The Site Of A Shipyard From 1750-1800. The Property Has Documented History Back To 1650’s. It Has Raised Decorative Images On Both Sides And Is Made Of Metal. 1 Image Also Shows A 1906 Indian Head Penny For Scale

    Found In The Woods Near The Water’s Edge At My Home In Maryland On The Chesapeake Bay, The Site Of A Shipyard From 1750-1800. The Property Has Documented History Back To 1650’s. It Has Raised Decorative Images On Both Sides And Is Made Of Metal. 1 Image Also Shows A 1906 Indian Head Penny For Scale

    Answer: It's a smallsword guard

    JurySad104 Report

    #34

    I Was Given This. I Have No Idea What It Is. Metal Square Box

    I Was Given This. I Have No Idea What It Is. Metal Square Box

    Answer: Portable ashtray

    kcoib17 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Barbara Cochrane
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had one that i bought. It was a portable ashtray. Mine was a bit fancier. It had a spring loaded rest so when you opened the box it popped out to hold your cigarette.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #35

    Strange Object From Tiffany's Mysteriously Given To My Wife By Her Grandmother While Refusing To Say What It Was. Probably Bought In The 1930s Or 1940s. About 10cm/4" Long. All She'd Say Was "She Used It As A Young Woman But Didn't Have Much Use For It Nowadays". Any Ideas?

    Tree Branch Muddler

    Answer: Tree Branch Muddler

    zsaleeba Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kazza
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope! It's a rotary phone dialer for women! Rotary phone dials would break women's long fingernails so you'd hold the long end and place the ball in the dial to rotate it. They made plastic ones, but fancy women had silver ones from Tiffany's :) Cocktail muddlers are wood~

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #36

    Big Antique German Chest. Apparently It’s Been In My Family For Generations. Made From Dark Black Wood And Ivory. The Panels Are Etched And Decorated. Inside Are Numerous Drawers. The Chest Contains A Bunch Of Very Old Books, The Oldest From The 1690s. What Is This Thing?

    Big Antique German Chest. Apparently It’s Been In My Family For Generations. Made From Dark Black Wood And Ivory. The Panels Are Etched And Decorated. Inside Are Numerous Drawers. The Chest Contains A Bunch Of Very Old Books, The Oldest From The 1690s. What Is This Thing?

    Answer: Known as a Kabinettschrank (“display cabinet” in German), this type of furniture is sometimes called a cabinet of curiosities or wonders.

    The etchings look a lot less intricate than a lot of the other display cabinets I've seen in this style. It might be someone's attempt to re-create one they saw somewhere.

    Polymes Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #37

    Art Nouveau Style Hook Made Of Silver

    Art Nouveau Style Hook Made Of Silver

    Answer: a boot button hook. Used to hook all those tiny buttons on ladies boots. Just a guess on my part

    _erik_reddit_ Report

    #38

    Thumb Protector Possibly, But For What? Found At A Yard Sale

    Thumb Protector Possibly, But For What? Found At A Yard Sale

    Answer: For shucking clams/ oysters. Protects from sharp edges, knife slips

    deceptiveshadow Report

    #39

    Found This Hidden In The Ceiling Of My Basement With A Bunch Of Others. Made Out Of Glass, Appears To Have Some Sort Of Tape Or Paper Border Around It. Hining A Light Through It Doesn’t Project A Clean Image

    Found This Hidden In The Ceiling Of My Basement With A Bunch Of Others. Made Out Of Glass, Appears To Have Some Sort Of Tape Or Paper Border Around It. Hining A Light Through It Doesn’t Project A Clean Image

    Answer: Magic Lantern glass slide.

    jjwood84 Report

    #40

    Found This Metal Detecting In New Hampshire. Small But Super Heavy

    Found This Metal Detecting In New Hampshire. Small But Super Heavy

    Answer: a dragon torch holder

    foxpunch Report

    #41

    Small Vintage Metal Decorative Item That Gets Blazing Hot When Plugged In. (Unplugged Immediately To Avoid Fire)

    Small Vintage Metal Decorative Item That Gets Blazing Hot When Plugged In. (Unplugged Immediately To Avoid Fire)

    Answer: It is a cigarette lighter. My great-grandmother had a small stand with ashtrays and two of these. You turn them upside down, and they heat up, but when you rest them like in the photo, they should turn off.

    junkshopper2000 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #42

    Found In Walls Of Victorian House

    Found In Walls Of Victorian House

    WaldenFont's answer: The way I read "those that are exposed," I'd think it's supposed to warm you when you're out in the cold. [Victorians] were forever fretting about exposure to cold and damp.
    YellowOnline's answer: It's Victorian quackery.

    DejectedOps Report

    #43

    What Is This Thing Hanging Outside My Fireplace. It Seems To Have Gears Inside Of It, And Pivots Into The Fireplace

    What Is This Thing Hanging Outside My Fireplace. It Seems To Have Gears Inside Of It, And Pivots Into The Fireplace

    Answer: it's a clockwork spit turner for turning a roast or other meat automatically.

    Hang on, I'll try to find some documentation

    burnout641 Report

    #44

    Found In Fathers Antique Collection, Neither Of Us Know What It Is. Think It’s Made Of Silver, Very Very Heavy, Both Parts Open Up And In The Smaller One It’s Some Kind Of Old Residue (Too Scared To Touch It, Maybe It’s Poisonous??)

    Found In Fathers Antique Collection, Neither Of Us Know What It Is. Think It’s Made Of Silver, Very Very Heavy, Both Parts Open Up And In The Smaller One It’s Some Kind Of Old Residue (Too Scared To Touch It, Maybe It’s Poisonous??)

    Answer: Betel nut and lime holder. It's worn on a belt

    koalakarma8 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, I tied an onion to my belt which was the style at the time. -Abraham Simpson

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #45

    Beautiful Purse With Legs Found In Antique Store. Both Sides Open And Small Objects Are Stored Inside. Two Of The Objects Unscrews. The Material Looks A Bit Like Bone And Is Probably Bakelite. The Label Reads Otto Gillberg Case And Briefcase Factory. The Hooks Might Be Lace Hooks But What's The Rest

    Beautiful Purse With Legs Found In Antique Store. Both Sides Open And Small Objects Are Stored Inside. Two Of The Objects Unscrews. The Material Looks A Bit Like Bone And Is Probably Bakelite. The Label Reads Otto Gillberg Case And Briefcase Factory. The Hooks Might Be Lace Hooks But What's The Rest

    Answer: It actually says what it is on the label, an etui, "a small ornamental case for holding needles, cosmetics, and other articles."

    insteadofahug Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #46

    What Would This Antique Silver “Locket” Have Been Used For? It Looks Like Possibly Ink Residue On The Two Pads Inside, But No Indication That The Inside Door Would Have Been Sealed Tightly Enough To Be A Reservoir

    What Would This Antique Silver “Locket” Have Been Used For? It Looks Like Possibly Ink Residue On The Two Pads Inside, But No Indication That The Inside Door Would Have Been Sealed Tightly Enough To Be A Reservoir

    Answer: It's actually a purse. There's space in there for some coins for bus/cab fare, some powder makeup (behind the little door), and calling cards.

    didilamour Report

    #47

    My Boyfriend Found This In His Backyard. It Appears To Be A Medal Of Some Sort? There's Nothing On The Back Of It

    My Boyfriend Found This In His Backyard. It Appears To Be A Medal Of Some Sort? There's Nothing On The Back Of It

    Answer: a hub cap for a carriage wheel. The flange is at the surface of the hub and the decorated area is pressed back in.

    Lilwest Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #48

    Found Among Grandma's Things. All Snowflakes Go Into Box, Spring Clasp On The Box

    Found Among Grandma's Things. All Snowflakes Go Into Box, Spring Clasp On The Box

    Answer: charms - peace, love, happiness.

    EMFB Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Apps
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could these be weights for the hemlines of skirts and dresses? Little weights in the hemlines help keep your dress from flying up on windy days

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #49

    What's This Heavy, Brass, Genie Lamp-Like Object With Both A Weird Cutout Spout And A Narrow Upwards Spout?

    What's This Heavy, Brass, Genie Lamp-Like Object With Both A Weird Cutout Spout And A Narrow Upwards Spout?

    Answer: It’s a lamp. It’s literally an oil lamp, to be used to create light.

    The wick goes in the spout. The oil goes in the belly. You light the wick and a flame will burn on the end of the spout like a little candle, and you can carry your lantern around with you.

    FlaxxtotheMaxx Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    What Is This Tool? Has Stumped Antique Dealers For Years And Even Stumped Four Antiques Roadshow Appraisers Yesterday. It Is 8.5" Long And The Bowl Is 2" Diameter

    What Is This Tool? Has Stumped Antique Dealers For Years And Even Stumped Four Antiques Roadshow Appraisers Yesterday. It Is 8.5" Long And The Bowl Is 2" Diameter

    Answer: it is a carpet stretcher.

    willamettewondering Report

    #51

    Was Given To Me As A Gift From A Friend Who Said It Was Used To Hold Teas And Spices. Haven't Found Anything Else On It

    Was Given To Me As A Gift From A Friend Who Said It Was Used To Hold Teas And Spices. Haven't Found Anything Else On It

    Answer: it's called a paan daan.. It holds all the contents of a paan... A betel leaf with other ingredients..

    TheJigIsUp Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    David
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had never heard of paan. Here is a video of a non-Indian guy talking about it and trying it out. == https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_GSXIZqLBk

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #52

    Found Hanging On A Nail, Behind A Picture On The Wall, Hanging On The Same Nail. The Hole In The Center Is About The Size Of A Quarter. Link In Comments For Photo Of Back Side. What Is It?

    Found Hanging On A Nail, Behind A Picture On The Wall, Hanging On The Same Nail. The Hole In The Center Is About The Size Of A Quarter. Link In Comments For Photo Of Back Side. What Is It?

    Answer: it is for preventing wax from dripping down a candle, that you'd put through the hole

    osumike07 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Betsy Ray
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bobechet. Now they're usually glass. Protects the table or tablecloth from melted wax.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #53

    Cast Iron Tiny Pot Thing. Double Walled

    Cast Iron Tiny Pot Thing. Double Walled

    Answer: cast iron glue pot.

    variousred Report

    #54

    Big Wooden Thing That Kinda Looks Like A Clothes Pin. It's About 4lbs, And 85cm Tall. It's A Dark Wood That's A Bit Worn Down And I'm Guessing It's Over 40 Years Old?

    Big Wooden Thing That Kinda Looks Like A Clothes Pin. It's About 4lbs, And 85cm Tall. It's A Dark Wood That's A Bit Worn Down And I'm Guessing It's Over 40 Years Old?

    Answer: a dolly tub for washing clothes. the hole at the top would have had a piece of wood going through which would have been used for handles.

    solidboom Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #55

    Found In Tip Jar At Work (Us)

    Found In Tip Jar At Work (Us)

    Answer: Two kopeck (1/100 of a ruble) from year 1891, St. Petersburg, copper

    BoiIEd Report

    #56

    My Dad Found This Earlier Today With His Metal Detector And Has No Clue What It Is. Its About 5cm X 4cm. What Is This Thing?

    My Dad Found This Earlier Today With His Metal Detector And Has No Clue What It Is. Its About 5cm X 4cm. What Is This Thing?

    Answer: It is part of a bracelet or belt. It would have had companions, joined by links on all four corners.

    It is too small for a trivet.

    bannockboy Report

    #57

    Two Mystery Objects Found In The Gwalia Ghost Town Museum Near The Outback West Australian Mining Town Of Leonora. An Ornate Cast Iron Case With A Hole And A Turnkey(?), And A Leather & Metal Box With A Handle, Button And Transparent Panel

    Two Mystery Objects Found In The Gwalia Ghost Town Museum Near The Outback West Australian Mining Town Of Leonora. An Ornate Cast Iron Case With A Hole And A Turnkey(?), And A Leather & Metal Box With A Handle, Button And Transparent Panel

    hyperdream's answer: The object on the right is a collection box that a railway worker would carry to collect fares.
    Fellatination's answer: The object on the left is a cast iron air compressor or pump. It's ornate so it was likely used by the railroad and not the miners.

    Gerald-of-Nivea Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #58

    Found 32cm Under Surface In Horse-Plowed Field, Norway. Reads Copper/Bronze

    Found 32cm Under Surface In Horse-Plowed Field, Norway. Reads Copper/Bronze

    Answer: A buckle/hardware for a leather harness. Two straps diagonally and one across horizontally.

    aGreenStone Report

    #59

    What Is This Ancient Bronze Pot With Two Spouts That Looks Like A Hanging Lavabo But Whose Necks Are Too Low To Carry Water Without Spilling?

    What Is This Ancient Bronze Pot With Two Spouts That Looks Like A Hanging Lavabo But Whose Necks Are Too Low To Carry Water Without Spilling?

    Answer: Looks like a Betty Lamp which burned whale oil. Wicks would reach out the openings

    watamat Report

    #60

    Found In An Antique Store. Says Used During Civil War And Wwi

    Found In An Antique Store. Says Used During Civil War And Wwi

    Answer: "Bully Beef" can opener. Designed in 1865 and supplied with cans of pickled beef.

    "Bully beef or corned beef is meat made from minced salt-cured brisket of beef in gelatin. The word bully possibly comes from the French "'bouilli' (boiled), as French troops ate boiled beef in Napoleonic times. Tins of bully beef featured in the rations of armies until the Second World War. Cow-shaped can opener that is made of metal and painted black. A large L-shaped blade is attached by screw to the body of the knife. Above the knifes blade is a cows head in metal. The body of the blade is curved and loops back on itself in the shape of a tail." LINK

    It's definitely a “Bully,” “Bulls Head,” or "Bully Beef" can opener.

    Here's a pretty decent article on the history of can openers.

    TL;DR: A can opener

    F1x98 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #61

    Metal Spiked Thing At Antique Store In Md. Even They Didn’t Know What It Was, The Tag Says “What Is This!?”

    Metal Spiked Thing At Antique Store In Md. Even They Didn’t Know What It Was, The Tag Says “What Is This!?”

    Answer: It is a roast or ham holder that mounts to a cutting board. The cutting board is missing.

    z_Dax_z Report

    #62

    Left Behind For Me From A Family Member Who Passed. Zero Clue What To Do

    Left Behind For Me From A Family Member Who Passed. Zero Clue What To Do

    Answer: a document relating to letters patent in the Ireland.

    reddit.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    EarthGrowl
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's vaguely what my 8X Great Grandfathers Transport Orders looked like from the Ole Bailey. Writing is So hard to read. GGdad was sentenced to forcible Transport from London to Virginia Colony in 1728. He would have been sentenced to burning for heresy if he ever returned to England. Heresy seems to run in the family.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #63

    Found In The Basement Of German House That Was Built Shortly Before World War II

    Found In The Basement Of German House That Was Built Shortly Before World War II

    Answer: Mortar and pestle. A very old one, too

    DaveDave_Org Report

    #64

    My Mil Has Had This Thing For Years And No One In The Family Can Figure Out What It Is. Looks Like It Was Mounted On The Wall Or Something At One Point. Any Ideas?

    My Mil Has Had This Thing For Years And No One In The Family Can Figure Out What It Is. Looks Like It Was Mounted On The Wall Or Something At One Point. Any Ideas?

    Answer: It’s an old bee keeping tool according to google “Bees Parker's Foundation Fastener - Wooden Beekeeping tool Circa 1800's”

    chesterTHEcheese Report

    #65

    1 Through 300 Metal Tags Found In An Old (1920s)ice Box. The Copper Wires Are There Just To Hold The Whole Stack Together

    1 Through 300 Metal Tags Found In An Old (1920s)ice Box. The Copper Wires Are There Just To Hold The Whole Stack Together

    Answer: They look like locker numbers.

    crinnaursa Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #66

    This Is Attached To A Property Deed From The 1700s. Anybody Know What It Is?

    This Is Attached To A Property Deed From The 1700s. Anybody Know What It Is?

    UrungusAmongUs's answer: Maryland State Seal
    CovfefeBean's answer: Deeds must be signed, sealed, and delivered. That’s likely a hanging seal, provided you have a deed.

    johnsinternetsales Report

    #67

    Found In Some Old Stuff. Can Be Opened To Reveal This Piece Of Paper

    Found In Some Old Stuff. Can Be Opened To Reveal This Piece Of Paper

    Answer: A prayer neckless. You put a prayer in it and carry with you for various reasons.

    It is probably a part of Quran.

    Crescent and star is Turkish flag and the symbol on the front is ottoman tugra, symbol of the sultan

    reddit.com Report

    #68

    Medal Found In My Nana's Belongings. Written On The Back Is "The Great War For Civilisation"

    Medal Found In My Nana's Belongings. Written On The Back Is "The Great War For Civilisation"

    Answer: The Victory Medal (also called the Inter-Allied Victory Medal) is a United Kingdom and British Empire First World War campaign medal.

    Lyzrd_Hangover Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #69

    I'm Usually Boss At Identifying Makers Marks But This One Has Me Completely Stumped

    I'm Usually Boss At Identifying Makers Marks But This One Has Me Completely Stumped

    Answer: It looks like the Simpson Hall Silver Co mark that was continued to be used by International Silver after International Silver purchased Simpson Hall

    polyPollyanna Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jessica
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my mom went to college so as not to end up in international silvers typing pool

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #70

    Found This Gold Ring At Beach In Mauritius And Would Be Fun To Know What Coat Of Arms Is That

    Found This Gold Ring At Beach In Mauritius And Would Be Fun To Know What Coat Of Arms Is That

    Answer: Keating family crest (Irish)

    alatalot Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Cyber Returns
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A wax seal ring. The image on the right looks like Sid from the Ice Age films

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #71

    This Cylindrical Container My Wife Bought

    This Cylindrical Container My Wife Bought

    Answer: Royal Navy cordite bucket.

    dbstanley Report

    #72

    Former Owners Left This At The House. We Live Near An Ottoman Fortress And Where A Roman Road Went

    Former Owners Left This At The House. We Live Near An Ottoman Fortress And Where A Roman Road Went

    Answer: a carving of Serbian Knez, Mihailo Obrenović III

    M--P Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Linda Riebel
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Romans put square indentations in some road pavers to collect water for wildlife and stray dogs.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #73

    Some Type Of Hammer Type Tool, All I Know It Was Sent From Africa Around 1945

    Some Type Of Hammer Type Tool, All I Know It Was Sent From Africa Around 1945

    Answer: Called a sugar hammer

    sirSwampDonkeyJr Report

    #74

    What Is This? I Found It In A River In Shropshire, UK About 15 Years Ago

    What Is This? I Found It In A River In Shropshire, UK About 15 Years Ago

    Answer: It's a vintage 1920s - 1930s sterling medal / pendant with dove bird "COME HOLY SPIRIT" in Latin. About 7/8" in diameter, hallmark marked. Originally on a heaver 17" long sterling chain.

    many_mishaps_melly Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jul_Jul_C
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Technically the text is "Veni creator spiritus" Come spirit creator" ( not of creator or creator's, that would not fit the latin text). The o is also a little halo around the dove's head.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #75

    Round Metal Object With No Opening On Top, The Lever Turned At One Point, Any Guesses To What This Could Be?

    Round Metal Object With No Opening On Top, The Lever Turned At One Point, Any Guesses To What This Could Be?

    Answer: It is indeed a chalk line.

    gumbyprincess1 Report

    #76

    Green Circular Tool With Spikes? We Found This At An Antique Store And Nobody Knew What It Was

    Green Circular Tool With Spikes? We Found This At An Antique Store And Nobody Knew What It Was

    Answer: it's probably a castration device. It puts a tight rubber band on to cut off circulation

    ceejayy16 Report