# What is this thing I found at a yardsale this weekend?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-i-found-at-a-yardsale-this-weekend/581267>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 9, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-i-found-at-a-yardsale-this-weekend/581267 "2011-05-09T13:48:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-i-found-at-a-yardsale-this-weekend/581267/1 "2011-05-09T13:48:59Z")

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I think it is an antique, I am guessing it is made out of maple, and it stands about 36 inches at the top. The entire thing is made out of wood including the wooden rivets holding it all together. It looks like an acorn, that slides into another half acorn on the bottom. It’s clearly meant to hold something but I have no idea what. The woman I bought it from had no idea what it was, she was cleaning out her mother-in-laws garage and having a sale. I like it, but have no clue what it is…maybe some sort of sewing accessory?

Any ideas?

Sorry the photo is so small. [Here](http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r156/Phlosphr/Dontknow.jpg)it is.

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**Author:** ![TexasDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@TexasDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TexasDriver)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-i-found-at-a-yardsale-this-weekend/581267/2 "2011-05-09T14:40:12Z")

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It is really hard to tell anything from that photo. I wonder if it was simply a wood working project meant to exercise the mind and hands. I for one would really love to see a bigger photo.

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**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-i-found-at-a-yardsale-this-weekend/581267/3 "2011-05-09T16:57:17Z")

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Does the upper “acorn” open up somehow, to store something inside?

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**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-i-found-at-a-yardsale-this-weekend/581267/4 "2011-05-09T17:03:54Z")

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It’s a chip and dip bowl, it matches the tiki salad set and acorn mugs, you used it when dining al fresco back in good ol days. 😉

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**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-i-found-at-a-yardsale-this-weekend/581267/5 "2011-05-09T17:06:36Z")

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[Columbarium](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/columbarium) for squirrels.