Turns out someone made the darn thing...for what? I still don't know....

The bottom half is a lamp base--they guessed from the 1870s. The top part is newer. The curator (sp?) guessed 1930s but I'm gonna have to argue that it's older than that. Grandpa was born about 1910ish (don't remember the exact date--hafta ask Mom) & it's been in the family before that.

Soooo...I know that it's been put together from two separate objects but I still don't know what it was used for! lol They guessed that it was a pencil holder but again I disagree b/c there's no lead markings in the holes. They also suggested it was used to hold flags/banners. This is a kewl idea but I picture it being used in a city/county/etc official's office...as far as I know, there was no one in the family who held/ran for an office.

Mom went with Pop to the dr today--I'll call her later this evenin' and see if she knows anyone who mighta been involved with politics or such.