I finished the first pass through the shoe boxes of buttons. As I said, at first glance it looked like mostly modern buttons but it turned out there were quite a few vintage ones, too. These are the glass buttons. I was tickled with the green one since that is the color I find least often.
China stencils.
Glass and metal rhinestones. There is a BIG pile of plastic rhinestones for another post.
An now to the what's-it. I found this at The Bins the other day. There is a mercury thermometer mounted in the groove and it is lined with metal. The cup at the bottom is brass.
There is a hole at the top that could be for hanging it up or maybe for a string if you needed to drop it in to a pipe or something.
The whole thing is about a foot long. Since it has the cup on the bottom I am thinking it was to dip up liquid and check the temperature. Has anyone seen this before?? Any ideas??
10 comments:
Kathy, you are the button whisperer! Do you think that could be a candy thermometer?? Lets see what other people say, are you feeling better?
Carol
Look at all those lovely buttons! My favorites are the sweet china stencils. Love the "what's it" thermometer. Hmm, I'm thinking a little greenery tucked in the cup?
Love your buttons and you are the button lady among bloggers
I have seen something similar to that dropped in wine barrels maybe to test the wine temperature???? who knows it may be a lard thermometer LOL
do tell when you find out
you have such a great button collection .... lovely!!
diane @ thoughts & shots
Love the buttons, especially the blue one. I don't know anything about the thermometer, but it sure is interesting.
Love the button finds and the china stencils are gorgeous. I agree with the comment above, this might be a thermometer for checking the temp when making wine. My grandfather was a wine maker but I don't remember seeing him have this. It sure is interesting.
Hope you're feeling better.
Have a nice weekend.
Hugs, CM
More beautiful buttons. I would have snagged that thermometer, too, but not a clue what it's use was. You find great stuff at the bins!
My wife suggested that this thermometer might be used for checking the temperature while cooking down maple syrup. At 240 degrees F., that might be a possibility. I don't know that wine is cooked.
Cool finds Kathy! LOVE the thermometer! I think it would look fab hung on the wall... LMK if you decide to sell it ;)
Have no idea what it was used for tho...
I stumbled upon a Facebook group that helps identify odd items and might be able to help with values. You can join them here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatisthisidentification/ I thought of you specifically because of this odd thermometer. Inquiring minds MUST find out!!! I do hope you'll join up with them and they can help to solve the mystery.
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