The same Blind Pig reader (she's an Angel!!) who gave me the last What Is It? gave me this one too. It's a pottery piece that measures about 10 inches long and about 5 inches high.
This is what the end looks like-I believe this is the end the piece would stand on when not in use-so it'd take up less room.
The top has a hole-with a cork stopper.
The bottom has 2 flat ridges to keep the item stable.
*Update: The first comment on this post, from Jo, had me running through the house like a crazy person. Jo is right!! The Potters fingerprints are in those brown places on the end of the item. SWEET!
Any guesses?
Tipper
I'm not sure. I don't think it's a footwarmer because it has TWO holes.
Could it be a peculiar type of birdhouse? I collect ceramic/pottery birdhouses, and I've seen some that look like jugs and bottles.
God bless.
RB
<><
Posted by: RB | January 26, 2013 at 11:53 PM
Tipper, Can't figure out what it was used for unless it is an urn for a dead persons ashes???????
Peggy L.
Posted by: Peggy Lambert | January 23, 2013 at 10:39 PM
I totally agree about the UGGS! First thing I thought.But, I never knew about any ceramic foot warmers-it sure makes sense to me.Yet another fascinating lesson from Blind Pig :-).
Posted by: Charline | January 23, 2013 at 08:56 PM
I have no idea what it is.. Maybe a foot warmer..I'll be interesting to find out though.
Posted by: Susie Swanson | January 23, 2013 at 08:02 PM
I was definitely wrong, it is a foot warmer. I have never seen one like this but did see a metal one that you put hot coals in and used when traveling in a wagon.
Posted by: Ron Banks | January 23, 2013 at 03:26 PM
Tipper,
I have no idea. It may be a foot
warmer of some sort, but I ain't
never seen one like this. Except
for the cork, it looks like my
Colman stove pressurized tank.
...Ken
Posted by: Ken | January 23, 2013 at 03:18 PM
It's definitely a foot warmer. I have one just like this one.
Posted by: brenda s 'okie in colorado' | January 23, 2013 at 01:22 PM
wow .. a foot warmer would be great just about now.. with our high temperature at 10 degrees.. brrr but you know what? i think its a thing to catch some sort of bugs.. ??? they go in and get trapped? so interesting about the fingerprint too... i think thats a neat thing... sorta like a signature.
big ladybug hugs..
xo
lynn
Posted by: lynn legge | January 23, 2013 at 01:18 PM
If it is a hot water bottle why would need two openings? Or is the other end sealed? The pictures don't show it.
Posted by: Ed Ammons | January 23, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Tipper,
I am going to have to stop staying up late and sleeping in.
The quite of night, except for the little varmits, that chirp, hoot and scream outside, help my figity drawing hand...
Wow! I just about missed this post..I think it is a foot warmer. Last night, after losing circulation in my feet from sitting so long, my feet were cold...I could have used that there gadget...I had one, and ended up selling it...shucks...
You know it is common for potters or handlers of the pottery to leave their signature finger prints in the clay...sometimes on purpose and sometimes accidently.
These being brownish stain, and the placement..I (ewwwww) wonder if it was the handler, that had just cut his hand or finger, moving it to the drying rack before the kiln...don't know...but then poor feller, he probably didn't have a sponge-bob bandaid to plop on the cut, probably didn't even have gauze or white adhesive tape....
Sorry, about this, I've got to get some more sleep....
Thanks Tipper, loved this post!
Posted by: B. ruth | January 23, 2013 at 11:33 AM
I am taking two guesses - one, it might be a separator, ex. cream from milk or it could be something to put hot water into to put into a bed or along with what would be used as a hot water bottle for aches and pains, etc.
Humm! I can't wait to know what it really is. Love the look and the signature.
Posted by: dolores | January 23, 2013 at 10:56 AM
I think it is probably a foot warmer for people riding in a buggy or Model T.
Posted by: martina | January 23, 2013 at 10:46 AM
A very nice pottery footwarmer. that was such a great gift!
Posted by: Mamabug | January 23, 2013 at 10:26 AM
I'm going to guess that it's a water jug. You fill it up at the well and bring it in the house so you don't have to run back and forth. Love the potters fingerprints. So cool!
Can't wait to find out what it really is!
Posted by: Paula | January 23, 2013 at 09:39 AM
Tipper--I rather think it is an old-time foot warmer. You put hot water in it, insert the stopper, and warm your feet when you climb into bed. Even if that's not what it is, I can definitively state that something very similar was in common use in Edinburgh, Scotland when I spent some time there many years ago. I was still active in the world of historical research at the time and my host was the Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh. Each night before I went off to a cold, cold bed, I'd fill up the foot warmer with hot water and place it under the covers. The thick walls of the container kept it from burning and retained the heat for hours.
Even if that isn't the intended use of this item, I guarantee it would work for that purpose.
Jim Casada
www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com
Posted by: Jim Casada | January 23, 2013 at 09:28 AM
I think this is a foot warmer. Peggy
Posted by: Peggy | January 23, 2013 at 09:14 AM
I'm going to have to guess it's some kind of whiskey/brew making crock. Seems like me aunt had something similar, only much bigger.
Posted by: Shirla | January 23, 2013 at 09:01 AM
It's a bed or foot warmer...filled with hot water and put in the bed at the feet...my sister in law has one just like it...w/o the fingerprints that is.
Posted by: Marylou Sweat | January 23, 2013 at 08:53 AM
Would that be a vinegar crock?
Posted by: Cheryl Soehl | January 23, 2013 at 08:40 AM
Buggy or Model T Foot Warmer--
Fill it with hot water before going on a date
Posted by: Gailey Henderson | January 23, 2013 at 08:37 AM
No idea. Never saw anything like it.
Posted by: kat | January 23, 2013 at 08:23 AM
Never seen anything like it, maybe a pickle jar or container to ferment in. I am stumped!
Posted by: Ron Banks | January 23, 2013 at 08:18 AM
fill it with hot water and put it in your bed to warm it up before going to bed.
Posted by: Sue Crane | January 23, 2013 at 07:51 AM
I *think* it's a hot water bottle--maybe a foot warmer for a carriage/wagon? I swear I used to know but can't q-u-i-t-e remember what I knew. Fun post--esp the update!
Posted by: Granny Sue | January 23, 2013 at 07:49 AM
Looks like a hot water bottle, like a bed or foot warmer perhaps.
Posted by: Joe Mode | January 23, 2013 at 07:42 AM
It is a foot warmer.
Liz/Landrum, SC
Posted by: Liz P | January 23, 2013 at 07:21 AM
A Lilliputian rain barrel?
Posted by: Ed Ammons | January 23, 2013 at 07:20 AM
I totally see the UGGS. Too funny. I think have seen this type of thing before; is it called a pig? I'm curious to know its intended use.
Posted by: Carol | January 23, 2013 at 07:16 AM
I think it's a foot warmer. You pour hot water in it. ???
Posted by: Elaine King | January 23, 2013 at 07:15 AM
Never saw anything like it, my first thought was a propane canister, but then I saw the second picture. ?????
Posted by: Sheryl Ormond Paul | January 23, 2013 at 06:39 AM
Tipper,
That last time you showed a "What is it", I had a vague idea what it was but, this one totally baffles me. That marking on the bottom looks like it was painted on with Albany slip. And also, maybe I am hallucinating but I swear, that looks like an action drawing of a girl from the waist down with a pair of fur topped Ugg
Boots gingerly walking down the road! LOL
Posted by: Bradley | January 23, 2013 at 06:24 AM
A musical instrument of some kind?
Posted by: Sallie Covolo aka Granny Sal | January 23, 2013 at 06:15 AM
I know what this is, but what I like best are those brown smudges on the bottom. Potter accidentlally left his fingerprints.
Posted by: Jo | January 23, 2013 at 05:49 AM