Thursday, February 24, 2011

Can you help name that Thinge?

Okay I have been waiting for this party all week, Vintage Thingie Thursday with Suzanne @ Coloradolady. I found this wonderful pink and yellow thingie at the home (actually buried out in the garage and yes still covered in dust) of an elderly lady. Her family has no idea what it is, but that it has been sitting out in the garage for at least 40 years.

I have been showing it to my dealer friends in hopes of gathering information about this unique piece. It stands about 20 inches tall and is a container of some sorts. With the lid removed, you can see some rust spots inside that you might see inside a plant pot, residue from minerals in the water. There are no drainage holes. It is a ceramic piece.


Here is the base with the same silver design as the lid.

Possible suggestions have been plant pot, fondue pot and ashtray. I would have just called it simply an art piece, but the lid suggests a function. All have agreed that both the colors and the style would indicate a mid-century piece. Any ideas? Let's play the game....."Name that Thingie". As always, thanks for your help.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

22 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Hi Sherrie, I think Aliens left it... tee hee hee... good luck finding out what it is!... xoxo Julie Marie

Judy C said...

Ya know, Sherrie, I don't know what it is. But it looks like it's been a while since it landed on earth.

Laura said...

Hello, Sherrie! This is a very interesting piece. When we saw it we thought possibly a fondue pot. But it also looks like it could have been an ashtray. We would like to let you know that today we posted about your giveaway.

Have a lovely day,
Laura and Michele

Marie said...

I sent your post to my mother to ask her, I am clueless!

Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Super cute necklace giveaway!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Mr.CC is guessing a fondue pot...I had no idea!

Blessings,
Linda

Tiff said...

No markings on it? Maybe it was a school or home art project gone wrong! They were trying to be space age an create a cool serving dish but soon realized that when they came down from what they were smoking that they ended up with a UTOTF (Unidentified Thing of the Future). And they knew one day that a sweet lady who loves to junk would discover it in a garage and ponder its use. They laughed at the thought and after they failed to grow herbs in it they tucked away and forgot it about. :)

Tiff said...

Sorry for all the grammar issues in that last sentence! I haven't had my morning tea.

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

I don't know but it is MIGHTY unusual!

LV said...

I have no idea what that is or what it was used for. It is definitely an interesting piece, and looks like it might have come from outer space.

flyingbeader said...

It looks like some sort of ashtray cigar holder to me, but that can't be right. All the same freaky fun looking

Maureen said...

Now isn't that odd! I have no idea what it is. You might try posting it over at iantiqueonline.com. Maybe someone on the forums will have an answer.

Ann said...

Oh my goodness, looks like a blue and yellow spaceship to me.
Ann

Marigene said...

I have asked several friends/relatives to look at it...no one seems to have ever anything like it before...the consensus is it is the right heigth and size for a spittoon! Sorry, but whatever it is, it sure is an ugly duckling! We are all going be sorry for making fun of your treasure when we find out it is worth a million dollars!

Sherry Wray said...

Oh My I just love it!!!
It is unique... maybe its an urn? Sometimes people had ceramic shops make unique urns for pets....

It is a fun conversational piece!

Deanna said...

Mom and I loved playing this...she thinks it might be a cigarette butt thingy where you would toss your cigarette butt into it and it would hold that sand or tiny gravel. I have no idea what it could be...lol!

Coloradolady said...

I so wish I had an idea, but I don't. I thought a fondue pot, but where would the heat come from? I will check back and see if the purpose is found or not! How fun!! Happy VTT!

Postcardy said...

It certainly is unusual. I am curious too.

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

A very weird chafing dish? My first thought was fondue pot too; the fact that it has a lid usually means that something warm or hot, something to be covered, would be put in it. Maybe a candle was supposed to go under it?
Very unusual piece! Thanks for sharing!!

Rustique Gal said...

Wow, this is unique! I'd just think it's a funky artsy type candy dish. I'll be interested in seeing what else you come up with! I love seeing your vintagey stuff...
Sherry

Life Goes On said...

What a fun funky piece. I am guessing an ashtray

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh my goodness...no clue at all! Unique for sure~ hugs, Linda

Anonymous said...

Oh I had hoped that someone knew what it is by now! I sure do love the colors, though! ♥