Can you identify what this is and what it is used for?

If you have visited my booth you will be aware that I deal in collectible gadgets and gizmo’s. I buy these things, photograph them, and then categorise them with the aim of eventually writing a book about gadgets from years gone by. I sometimes buy things without knowing what they are and then have fun researching them. However this item has me completely baffled, I’ve shown it to friends, it’s on YouTube and my website but nobody has identified it yet. I’m hoping that one of you knowledgeable people out there knows for sure what it is. If you have a moment I would appreciate it if you could have a look at the short video showing it on my website [URL removed] Pleas let me know if you can identify it

Many Thanks

Don
GransGadgets

asked about 14 years ago

21 Answers

this is a spouted apple steamer. you place the cored apple on the spout and put it in a shallow skillet or clay oven pan and steam the apples soft to perfection. cover them with sugar and cinnamon. These were done 4 at a time. Back in the days when folks lost there teeth at a young age apples were hard. Steaming them was very common or baking them. The practice of cooking apples like this dates back to the colonial days, i think your pottery piece would be of the late 1700 to early 1800’s

answered about 14 years ago

Hi Grans, you sure got me with this one and lost without a clue!
Looking at the bottom end, it does indeed show slight wear and I’m convinced that the rounder width is definitely the top.
If made of clay pottery with the colorful design, all I could possibly suspect is that its some kind of “plant or fruit starter” before being taken out to be root into a larger growth (similiar to the strawberry clay pot holders with open holes on the sides so that the fruit may grow out from) but again, the design appears modern and the edging of holes appear to have been mass produced making it current to date.

Please get back to us and let us know what you discovered next!

answered about 14 years ago

MONTROSE
Reputation: 8354
See MONTROSE's booth

I think it’s for baking apples. Here are some newer ones, about half way down this page.
[URL removed]

There are more on this website.
[URL removed]

answered about 14 years ago

spouted apple steamer

answered about 14 years ago

I am going to go out on a limb, I have dial up, and am not getting the video, but the couple of frames I have seen, It looks like a fancy flower frog to me??? I didn’t see any reference to the size in your message.

answered about 14 years ago

Is it maybe stamped with anything? Yeah the holes puzzle me as well. I wish you the best of luck

answered about 14 years ago

hello,

Here is a friend of mine, you can check with him. Tell him Gypsy sent you. He may be able to help. Good luck. I am usually pretty good at this, but not this time. :)

[URL removed]

answered about 14 years ago

I think it is some sort of kitchen gadget, and the first thing to come to mind is a juicer.

answered about 14 years ago

Thanks for the replies so far, to answer your question there are no marks on it. A juicer has been suggested before but I don’t think that is likely. If it is a juicer it’s not a very good design but thanks for the suggestion
Don

answered about 14 years ago

Sorry I can’t help. I’ll be curious to follow to see if you get an answer. Good luck! :)

answered about 14 years ago

Barntiques to the rescue! Makes perfect sense. Now we want to know if you are going to have a steamed apple for lunch or dinner. Sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar sounds devine. Let us know if you give it a test run.

answered about 14 years ago

apple steamer sounds good to me .. my first thought was an egg separator i have one made in clay but i vote apple steamer

answered about 14 years ago

I thought it was a lemon, orange or grapefruit squeezer because of the reamer and the holes. But the answer of an apple steamer makes more sense. BTW my grandchildren call me Gran, also, yet we’re all from the US with no connection to England.

answered about 14 years ago

Hi, I think it some sort of amplifier. Some thing that would sit on a small Radio, near a door bell,or in an apartment house where intercoms are used. Let me know what it is. Corinne

answered about 14 years ago

I thought is was an orange strainer. I learned something today.

answered about 14 years ago

Hi, Did you Search the The English Telephone/ Radio Museum society? It looks like the speaker part of a Wall Phone ([phone number removed]?) Perhaps attached with brackets or mounted onto another platform that was movable.

answered about 14 years ago

Like Barntiques, I believe it is an apple steamer.

answered about 14 years ago

I was going to say an old fashion juicer. lol
But if Barntique says it’s an apple steamer, then that’s what it must be! Browse her booth- she knows her stuff ;)

Fun and unique idea you have going, GransGadgets! What a smart way to draw in new customers and keep them coming back! I look forward to seeing future “What is This” pics :D

answered about 14 years ago

inspired
Reputation: 278
See inspired's booth

It might bake apples – but for alternative suggestions – a jelly mold or single bundt cake mold – might add to its functions!

answered about 14 years ago

If it was a food steamer, would it not need a cover.
Could it not be used to steam vegetables as well.
I’m guessing it would sit over a pot of boiling water and the steam comes up through the holes.

answered about 14 years ago

After I read what it was, it made sense to me, although now days I make "steamed " apples by putting them in a bowl in the microwave. My guess would have been bad. Like an egg separator or something. Glad someone knew.

answered about 14 years ago

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