# Hol\[e\]y glass bowl! (or, what is this?)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 8, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162 "2015-02-08T23:42:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 18
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/1 "2015-02-08T23:42:55Z")
Anyone know what [this](https://plus.google.com/photos/111840965197233678596/albums/6113616551196439329?authkey=CM_Ml4KK7-eq-QE) would be used for?
In case it’s not clear from the pictures, it’s a glass bowl with 6 holes. (3 are near the bottom and 3 near the top. If they were all on the same plane they would make a star of David shape).
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [February 8, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/2 "2015-02-08T23:51:38Z")
[Holding a candle?](http://www.esppottery.com/bowl.html)
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### Author:  [@Batfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batfish)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/3 "2015-02-09T00:06:38Z")
> **[r/whatisthisthing](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/)**
>
> r/whatisthisthing: If you have an object and you don't know what it is, this is the place for you to search for an answer. We may not know the "why" …
Try here.
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### Author:  [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/4 "2015-02-09T00:23:03Z")
It doesn’t seem that practical for holding a candle, given its shape.
And I can’t get the hang of reddit. The interface just turns me off. If anyone wants to post there on my behalf you have my blessing.
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### Author:  [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/5 "2015-02-09T01:05:48Z")
I’ll go with planter for species with tendrils, like ivy.
Anyone know a flowering tendril plant used for decoration?
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### Author:  [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/6 "2015-02-09T02:14:17Z")
I think it’s supposed to be hung in a macrame or rope basket and then a flowering vine is planted in it and the thing is hung from the ceiling.
I kept staring at it and it reminded me of strawberry pots, or tomato planters.
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### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/7 "2015-02-09T02:15:01Z")
> [@Marion\_Wormer](#):
>
> I think it’s supposed to be hung in a macrame or rope basket and then a flowering vine is planted in it and the thing is hung from the ceiling.
>
> I kept staring at it and it reminded me of strawberry pots, or tomato planters.
That makes the most sense so far.
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/8 "2015-02-09T03:22:38Z")
Maybe it’s upside down? Could be a cover for something. What’s the diameter? I like the planter option, but it doesn’t look thick enough to hold much weight. Am I mistaken?
If you wanted to protect something, but not let it get soggy, that would be a good thing to put on top of it. . . is it large enough to be a cake cover?
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### Author:  [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/9 "2015-02-09T03:53:33Z")
> [@Moe](#):
>
> It doesn’t seem that practical for holding a candle, given its shape.
It’s perfect for holding a candle – it’s got that round depression in the middle to hold a votive.
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### Author:  [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/10 "2015-02-09T07:06:13Z")
How would this be good as a planter, especially a hanging one? It would drip on your head.
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### Author:  [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/11 "2015-02-09T07:40:04Z")
> [@gigi](#):
>
> It’s perfect for holding a candle – it’s got that round depression in the middle to hold a votive.
Given that it’s transparent, what’s the point of the holes? The only provide an opportunity for cross-breezes to blow a candle out.
I’m going to vote for fruit bowl. The holes provide cross-ventilation to reduce damp which would cause the fruit at the bottom to go off more quickly.
Ok, it’s a long shot.
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### Author:  [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/12 "2015-02-09T08:23:43Z")
> [@UDS](#):
>
> .
>
> I’m going to vote for fruit bowl. The holes provide cross-ventilation to reduce damp which would cause the fruit at the bottom to go off more quickly.
>
> Ok, it’s a long shot.
This seems to be the best guess so far, to me.
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### Author:  [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/13 "2015-02-09T08:58:06Z")
This is part of a tea warmer ([Teaware & Tea Accessories | The Republic of Tea](http://www.republicoftea.com/glass-candle-warmer-with-candle/p/V00928/))
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### Author:  [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/14 "2015-02-09T10:13:19Z")
> [@Anaglyph](#):
>
> This is part of a tea warmer ([http://www.republicoftea.com/glass-candle-warmer-with-candle/p/V00928/](http://www.republicoftea.com/glass-candle-warmer-with-candle/p/V00928/))
That certainly seems to be it! Nicely done.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/15 "2015-02-09T13:11:53Z")
Now that that’s been solved …
[ascending soapbox]
Note to the OP & others inclined to post pix of things to identify:
Please, \*please \*tell us how big your thinggummus is. Or include a ruler in the picture. The folks thinking it was a plant pot were probably thinking it was 12" in diameter, not 4. The quality of the answers depends a lot on the quality of the question. So ask a thorough one.
Thank you.
[climbing down from soapbox]
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/16 "2015-02-09T14:01:14Z")
> [@gigi](#):
>
> It’s perfect for holding a candle – it’s got that round depression in the middle to hold a votive.
So, technically, you’re correct. It is intended to hold a candle.
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### Author:  [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/17 "2015-02-09T14:27:44Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#):
>
> So, technically, you’re correct.
I’ll take it. 🙂
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### Author:  [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)
#### Post date: [February 9, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hol-e-y-glass-bowl-or-what-is-this/712162/18 "2015-02-09T17:38:40Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#):
>
> So, technically, you’re correct. It is intended to hold a candle.
Technically correct, without a doubt it’s the best kind of correct!