Last week our curatorial staff posted a photograph of a mystery object in our collection. So far here is what you thought based on Blog and Facebook responses (results are only from our Facebook page and not from any personal posts of this blog entry.
- Some sort of strainer – 11 votes
- Potato Masher – 10 votes
- Hot brick/coal/ember carrier – 8 votes
- Device for indoor grilling – 7 votes
- Deep frying basket – 6 votes
- Basket for home canning – 3 votes
- Sifter – 2 votes
Other ideas were also proposed. For example: a laundry suds-er, ice block carrier, kitty litter scooper, and a tool to make candles or paper.
We are still stumped. However, based on the design, materials, and solidity of the piece, we are fairly certain that this is not a potato masher.
This mystery object was found stored with our collection of kitchenware.
More thoughts?
If I remember the picture correctly (and I probably don’t), it has a screen on the bottom and then legs to a point from each corner. My first thought was that a bowl of dough was set inside and then clothe wrapped around the outside but not bottom to let the dough raise. It may have hung over coals or set on the top of a wood stove. The warm air would help the yeast to work and yet this item would keep it from direct heat. ….Hows that?
since it doesn’t appear to have a hole for hanging but a handle I’m thinking it’s used to dip something in and out of something else. Dipping in hot water, dipping in oil, dipping in dye,