Topic: Mystery Lens

[cubby01]

Now I know there are some collectors here that will know what this is.  :hi:  I thought I had a pretty good idea of what it was but after searching for a while I think I'm up the right tree but on the wrong branch.  Somebody please help me out.

It's about 10-1/2 inches in length (~27cm) and the clear section is just over 3" in diameter (~8cm).  It appears that the clear part extends into the red part the complete length and they are sealed at each end, possibly providing a insulating layer.  The gold/brass colored banding is painted on (at first I thought it was a brass ring.)

It was picked up near dead center of the USA I have my doubts is was used anywhere near here.



  

[keith]

Looks like it should have a lid/top maybe,flask of some description :huh:

[Paul S.]

a shade or hood of some description -  for a lamp perhaps?

[cubby01]

Hi, yes I believe it is a shade for a lamp of some kind.  My first thought was an shade for an emergency light which lead me to think about the red shades that were used on battle ships like this http://www.antiquesofthesea.com/0337_red%20lens.html - but all the examples of the battleship shades were closed on the end, mine is open, and it's quite large.

I do think that it's industrial or architectural - doesn't seem like a typical house lamp shade.  And red would lead me to think it's an emergency type light.

[Paul S.]

The fact that it is open at the far end may well indicate that the light source was a naked one  -  (perhaps it came from a 'red light district') :24:

[Anne]

Shade from a sanctuary lamp perhaps?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_lamp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sanctuarylamp.jpg

[cubby01]

Shade from a sanctuary lamp perhaps?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_lamp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sanctuarylamp.jpg

Wow, I had not thought of that.  That is indeed a possibility.  Thanks for the lead!!!

[cubby01]

Anne I think you may be have hit on it.  :hiclp: Seems very similar to these....

http://www.churchsupplies.com/store/14-day-glass-globe-93133.shtml
http://www.churchcandlesonline.com/dome-style-globe-sanctuary-candles-globe-ruby-each-p-1036.html

[jinxi]

You must be an absolute genius Anne!