Topic: mystery drinking object.

[ju1i3]

I've seen the same shape inkwells before on ebay but now that I'm trying to find one none are currently listed. I did see the "tea kettle" inkwells but that's not exactly what I was thinking of.

[rosieposie]

Do try the USA baby site again Paul,  it is just very slow to load and looks as though you won't get the picture, but after a few seconds they suddenly come up. 

There is a LHS scroll feature to access the collections.....have another go....I have just had a look and it all seems to be working.....use the same link I originally gave.....goood luck!! :X:

[Paul S.]

have just spent some minutes typing the comments below  -  so, whilst I appreciate you have both posted comments very recently, indulge me in letting me not waste my thoughts.   thanks
""thanks julie  -  think the spout too narrow to accommodate a pen, and it really is a proper drinking/pouring spout shape.  However, do take your point about the shape and slightly concave top being reminiscent of an inkwell - but the missing handle is a mystery.     Would agree with you that feeders do have handles, normally  -  but I guess there are exceptions to all rules.       The spout lip has now become, with the passing of time, damaged slightly  -  and you really would not want to put your lips on what might be a sharp edge.   Looking carefully, it does appear that originally the spout edges were ground and slightly bevelled.
rosie  -  I'm warming to the idea of dicussing nipples but seriously thanks for the inkwells link - really fascinating when you look at their history.   Perhaps now that Ivo has finished writing about 'cuspidors' he might like to start a volume on inkwells.
When I saw the large ground/polished concave pontil mark, I assumed this might be perhaps even pre 1914 - but maybe not really quite so old.   I'm also wondering if there might originally have been some kind of rubber stopper/valve inserted into the hole after filling with a liquid - thus preventing any spillage even if the object was dropped or laid down.   All those with handles have large openings and thus need a handle to hold and steady them.   If this example had a completely closed top then spillage would not be a problem, and a handle might be dispensed with"".

[rosieposie]

Hi Paul,  don't dismiss th 'irrigator' route....It could have been used to wash out wounds, or indeed, a nasal irrigator...a surprisingly popular item, even today!

http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&expIds=17259,27463,27585,27817&xhr=t&q=nasal+irrigator&cp=15&wrapid=tljp1290802652307014&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=982&bih=420

Back on the case............like to leave you with something to ponder on other than n!pples :hi:

[Paul S.]

rosie -thanks for all your links.   I did manage eventually to view the US infant feeder collectors pics., although images quite often too small to determine pieces accurately, so may send them a pic. of my example for an opinion.

[keith]

I think a posset cup is out as the spout should come from the base so the curdled milk on top doesn't get stuck in the spout or worse in your mouth

[rosieposie]

Any progress to report on this enigma Paul? :huh:  I am particularly interested because as a nurse, it looks like the sort of item I should know more about!! :srn:

I wondered if you had any joy from the people on the American site??

[Paul S.]

I'm no further forward at the moment rosie.     By coincidence I was trawling thru one of my books and was reminded of something unusual and which I have in fact never seen in the flesh, but which made me think of this object.     There were/are pieces called 'toddy lifters', and although this is certainly not one, the fact that my example has a similar finger hole in the top, made me think that pouring from it would be similar to the action of a 'toddy lifter' i.e. the container is filled and will only pour for the duration that the finger/thumb is removed from the hole in the top.    I believe we did discuss something vaguely similar earlier in the thread.   I don't believe that the spout would be placed in the mouth, as the edges are too sharp (unlike ceramics)  -  so really only use would be to pour a controlled volume of liquid into another container.       However, at the weekend I sent pics. and some suggestions to the V. & A. in London, asking for their help.   Apparently, they are presently experiencing a high volume of requests for help, and have suggested a 20 day lapse before answering.   I haven't contacted the States at present, and will wait first of all to see what the V. & A. have to say.    (I have a similar request out with a Finnish institution - so hope I don't get a bad name for pesting the authorities )

[bOBA]

If your experience at the V&A is anything like mine with the Rackow Library at Corning this year you may have to wait a lot longer than 20 days... I have been waiting over 2 months for the Rackow to get back to me about a simple document enquiry,

Robert(bOBA)

[rosieposie]

Paul, I am still thinking along the medical irrigator theory. :srn: 

I mentioned a glass flask used to irrigate eyes, called an 'Undine' earlier on in this thread,  but I am now looking at an item called a 'Neti'.  It is a nasal irrigator, used to wash out the nasal sinuses. (hope you aren't having your tea, or are of a delicate constitution!) :mrgreen: 

There is another thought.....could this have been used to place a leech onto a specific place on the body withouf handling the leech??  Or am I just trying to invent a use for it!? :X: