Brass thing???

[jtw1313]

Does anyone know what this is called or what it was used for

 

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[nkellam22]

Looks like a serving cup

 

[randazzo1]

Maybe something for brewing/distilling ? It looks like a gravy thing but my instinct is that the covered spout is overkill for gravy. That cover presumably keeps something from falling out when the piece is tipped past 45 degrees. Maybe feeding animals?

 

[Red-Coat]

I would assume it's an oil pourer. This one's in copper and from the 1920s:

 

[ARC]

I would assume it's an oil pourer. This one's in copper and from the 1920s:

View attachment 1858355

What is pictured IMO is not for oil... regardless or what the picture origin says.

I say this because oil related items almost always had a spout.

 

[Red-Coat]

What is pictured IMO is not for oil... regardless or what the picture origin says.

I say this because oil related items almost always had a spout.

Yes, that was presumptive. The item I pictured was made by S. Noton Metalworks. I don't have (and can't find) one of their catalogues to see what it was originally sold as, but this is what one of their advertisements says about the things they supplied:

 

[ARC]

Yeah the spout on that would have made a mess. heh

Could be some water pitcher... or something like that.

 

[Bruce R]

Oil lamp, a wick goes into the “spout”