museum of country life

What is it?

@JudyEv (381815)

Rockingham, Australia

April 8, 2023 2:36am CST

I wrote about an ornate sideboard which is in the Museum of Country Life at Turlough House, Co. Mayo, Ireland. I cropped the photo I used to show a glass something-or-other that I thought someone might know more about. Thankfully, the photo was crisp enough that the cropped photo isn’t too far out of focus. The item has three legs but the bowl part is like an upturned hat. I haven’t seen anything quite like it before. It’s handy that you can see more of it in the mirror. You can also see the book-holder better. Can anyone throw some light on what it might be or what it might be used for?

12 people like this

12 responses

@LadyDuck (502194)

• Italy

8 Apr 23

The glass bowl with three legs is a fruit holder, my granny had one identical. I suppose that the metal thing is a part of a an old bottle holder and some parts are missing.

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@LadyDuck (502194)

• Italy

8 Apr 23

@JudyEv I thought it could have been for books, but it makes not a lot of sense as it is a fixed space, you cannot make it narrower.

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

The attendant said the metal thing was to hold books. Thanks for the info on the bowl.

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

@LadyDuck No but as a feature, it wouldn't matter if there was a bit of space between the books.

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@Beestring (15373)

• Hong Kong

8 Apr 23

I like the book-holder. As for the glass bowl, not sure what it is for, I may put fruits on it.

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

I thought the glass bowl was very unusual.

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@Beestring (15373)

• Hong Kong

8 Apr 23

@JudyEv It was.

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@Jenaisle (16568)

• Philippines

8 Apr 23

It might have been used as a container for scented water, like flower petals floating on the surface of the water? It's only a guess because I'm not familiar with it.

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

That would be a very suitable purpose for it.

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@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

8 Apr 23

I see Anna has found something about it. I would put books in it

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@RebeccasFarm (91299)

• United States

8 Apr 23

@JudyEv Oh I say Judy you are such a toff

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Apr 23

@RebeccasFarm I might have had to buy some!!

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

I would put in some books that would make people think I was very sophisticated!!

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@rakski (156249)

• Philippines

8 Apr 23

no idea what is that for

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@rakski (156249)

• Philippines

9 Apr 23

@JudyEv surely

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

Anna (@LadyDuck) says it's a fruit bowl and I would trust her judgement.

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@Icydoll (36713)

• India

8 Apr 23

I'm not sure what's it might be used for. I like the book holder .

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

I guess you could use it for whatever you wanted to - chocolates, fruit, etc.

@BarBaraPrz (51811)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

8 Apr 23

Well, the consensus seems to make it a fruit bowl, to which I add my vote.

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

Fruit bowl it is then.

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@vandana7 (102698)

• India

8 Apr 23

In ancient days boring ladies like me used to eat sweets whenever we got too bored. So ...such things may have been for holding confectionery that they could indulge in...

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

That's a very sensible idea. It would look lovely full of chocolates.

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@rebelann (117199)

• El Paso, Texas

8 Apr 23

I honestly have no clue but perhaps it was used to keep candy in? It's pretty sure enough.

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@rebelann (117199)

• El Paso, Texas

9 Apr 23

Or maybe those mint candies

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

Candy and chocolates would go very well in it.

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@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

8 Apr 23

I would like to preserve the book-holder.

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

I love these old antiques.

@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

8 Apr 23

I would use it for a candy dish

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@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

9 Apr 23

@JudyEv But with candy in there that would reflect the colors

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Apr 23

That would be a good use for it. It looks a bit strange with the top turning to the outside like it does.

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Apr 23

@wolfgirl569 I hadn't thought of that but you're right.

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@LindaOHio (222288)

• United States

22 Apr 23

Looks like Anna has the answer. It's a pretty bowl, whatever the use!

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@JudyEv (381815)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Apr 23

I don't think I've seen another quite like this one.

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