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Mystery "Oak Barrel Stave" Item: What is this thing?

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    Posted 11 years ago

    Downhome
    (24 items)

    A number of months ago, maybe a year now, I went to an antique auction and this item came up for bidding. The auctioneer had no clue what it was and no one in the crowd new what it was, so no one was bidding on it no matter how far down he lowered the price. He finally just asked if anyone would take it for a buck so I tossed up my hand and it was mine. I tend to buy just about any "mystery thing" at an auction when it gets down to practically nothing. Heck, the mystery of it and the fun of discovering what it is, regardless of eventual value, is worth more than a buck to me.

    Anyway, the best I can tell is that it is something made out of a really old oak barrel stave. I have seen many wine racks that look something like this, but this one doesn't have the "dividers" to keep bottles from smashing together like you normally see. Is this simply something like that which was never finished being built? Is it likely for another purpose? I'm guessing it is still used for some sort of "decoration" where something goes on it just for display purposes, but I'm open to any thoughts on what it is, likely age, anything.

    So what say you CW? Just what is this mystery thing?

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

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    Comments

    1. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      Makes sense that it could be used for propping up the bottoms of wine bottles to keep the corks wet & gravity would automatically keep the weight & balance toward the centre. Of course this is all speculation & it could be part of the Arc de Covenant. I have a great imagination don't I? What is the length?
    2. Downhome, 11 years ago
      Yeah really, lol.

      It's about two and a half feet long.
    3. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      Longer than I thought. Maybe for putting under ends of large barrels to keep them from rolling? I still leave the Arc idea in there.
    4. walksoftly walksoftly, 11 years ago
      Decoration, or it was made to frustrate whoever happened to come across it & leave them endlessly searching the internet, till they can no longer sleep!
    5. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      Walks, you didn't come up with the makers full name, manufacture day, month & year? I'm disappointed in you, as I'm sure others are! ;-). I agree with your last comment. Nothing to show that it came off the Monitor or C.S.A. Virginia etc..
    6. Downhome, 11 years ago
      You guys are something else, lol.

      Even if we can't nail what it is exactly, how old does it look to you?
    7. Downhome, 11 years ago
      Unless I'm a time traveler!!!
    8. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      I think I saw something like this associated with lepers. Eyes4, like your comment on #4. You are beginning to think like me so it might be time to seek professional help.
    9. walksoftly walksoftly, 11 years ago
      As to age, do you want mfg. date or age of tree? If it's the latter start counting tree rings;-)
    10. walksoftly walksoftly, 11 years ago
      B'buss needs to get his eyes checked! :-)

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