cast iron - what is it?

[jerseyben]

UPDATE: Cast iron christmas tree stand. http://www.etsy.com/listing/161774357/reserved-antique-cast-iron-christmas

Picked up this neat cast iron item today. It is very heavy. No clue what it is. No markings that I can see anywhere on the piece.

Any ideas?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[CoilyGirl]

It almost looks like some type of oriental lantern or candle holder to me Ben.

 

[Rusted_Iron]

looks like a Christmas tree stand or some kind of a post holder... flag pole? Can't tell from the pics but it looks like there's a way to attach the feet to something?

 

[jerseyben]

looks like a Christmas tree stand or some kind of a post holder... flag pole? Can't tell from the pics but it looks like there's a way to attach the feet to something?

It is "stand alone". It attaches to nothing.

I would say too big to be a flag pole holder and candle holder is possible but I saw no wax anywhere on it.

Christmas tree stand is definitely a possibility.

 

[war-digs-it]

Possibly a base for a large patio umbrella? Looks like there are forked legs where screws would hold the piece down?

 

[Rusted_Iron]

The feet appear to have grooves which would be just enough to steady it from tipping over, by using nails. I've seen Christmas tree holders that looked a lot like that piece. Still not sure if that's what it is, but yeah.

 

[Nickleanddime]

Here's a Christmas tree stand, the screw ports are for clamping screws. Average price on the bay was under $20 bucks.but yours doesn't have teeth or spread does it? Here's a link to a similar one.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/310793256523

But I don't think it's a tree stand, if there are holes in the legs a flag to mount to a house porch. Good luck.

 

[Rdunzl]

It looks to me like a machine part that houses a sight glass. I've seen many styles of these in
production facilities as flow indicators. I've never seen one quite this old, and the feet throw me.
Just a hunch.

 

[Tallone]

I'm thinking flag pole holder as well. An antique version of the sort of thing below:

 

[G.I.B.]

I'm thinking it held a glass of some sort of liquid, so you could see the level of liquid.

It's split to facilitate ease of installation of the insert. The feet are notched, but they are not screw holes. So it will set in a specific area, but not be completely secured.

If it's from an oil lamp, industrial origin or some Frankenstein lab… what type of area was it found? Residential, Manufacturing?

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

flower vase holder...1920ish...

View attachment 901389
View attachment 901390

 

[jerseyben]

My wife said it is an old table-top christmas tree stand. Meant to have a drape over it. I would be willing to agree with any of the explanations given. I just dont know.

It was found at an estate sale and the woman was keeping long fireplace lighters in it.

 

[Dirt Devil]

Looks like the base to a cast iron water hand pump....

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

Definitely an antique Christmas Tree Stand.RESERVED Antique Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand with by Swansdowne


Look about half-way down the page

Nice!

Mrs.O

 

[diggummup]

Here's a "similar" one too- Vintage Antique Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand Revolving | eBay

Hi Mrs.O!

 

[Nickleanddime]

I'm withdrawing my Xmas stand and flag pole. After long thought I'm going with fluid flow window. But I'm saying for a milking pallor. The connecting piece would have had clamping screws that would have slid into the slots on your piece. Then on the other end it would have slide onto the other pipe maybe with a flared end on the glass insert and a o ring. I was thinking I'd seen one before somewhere and that was it, where I milked as a teenager, it was right below a series of bends.

 

[diggummup]

I'm withdrawing my Xmas stand and flag pole. After long thought I'm going with fluid flow window. But I'm saying for a milking pallor. The connecting piece would have had clamping screws that would have slid into the slots on your piece. Then on the other end it would have slide onto the other pipe maybe with a flared end on the glass insert and a o ring. I was thinking I'd seen one before somewhere and that was it, where I milked as a teenager, it was right below a series of bends.

How do you explain the remnants of the gold leaf design painted on the side of both Ben's and the one shown in the link by Mrs. O?

 

[jerseyben]

How do you explain the remnants of the gold leaf design painted on the side of both Ben's and the one shown in the link by Mrs. O?

I am really torn on this one. While I agree that the one posted on etsy is the exact same one that I have, I dont know if the description on the etsy ad is accurate or not.

I woulod be willing to side with "christmas tree stand" based on the etsy ad as well as other poster's comments, but I couldnt say with 100% confidence that it is correct.

 

[diggummup]

I am still undecided also. Just an honest question. It's the gold leaf painted on them that makes me lean towards it being an xmas tree stand. I still can't explain why they would make one that has to be screwed down in order to work properly though or the fact that it is not like 99% of the other tree stands out there. I originally thought it was for the leg of a piece of industrial equipment to fit in or maybe a weather vane stand. Whatever it is, it appears it was made to be fastened down, be it to wood, concrete or what have you, which wouldn't make sense for a tree stand (to me anyway). So the jury is still out...

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

This is not the best pic, but I will try to get a better one. This is an ad from 1911, advertising your Christmas tree holder.