What is this?

November 20, 2015 9:52 AM

The one local thrift shop has this and no one knows what it is:

this thing


Any ideas?

posted by SuzySmith to Grab Bag (18 answers total)

Any manufacturer name or other identifying marks, maybe on the bottom?
posted by contraption at 9:55 AM on November 20, 2015

Response by poster: 1, 2, 3

This is all I have. I can try and get shots of the bottom tomorrow. I'm asking for a friend, I haven't actually seen it in person.
posted by SuzySmith at 10:00 AM on November 20, 2015

Plant stand would be my guess.... it looks mid-century. Bowling ball holder? Small bar with cup holders?
posted by answergrape at 10:03 AM on November 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Booze caddy, mid-century? Middle section for bottles, ends to hold glasses/glass and an ashtray?
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:05 AM on November 20, 2015 [6 favorites]

Best answer: Riffing off MonkeyToes, this has some similar elements with caddy-specific decanters.
posted by amanda at 10:09 AM on November 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

Note the ruler behind it -- those holes are only ~1.5". Seems a little small for even glasses.

My first thought was umbrella stand, but I have no idea why it would be so fancy or have handles.
posted by Etrigan at 10:10 AM on November 20, 2015

I think it's a drink caddy as well. If you do a google image search for mid century drink caddy you find lots of examples that have the same feel as this, although I did not see any that were identical.
posted by xeney at 10:10 AM on November 20, 2015

Best answer: For comparison: Vintage Tantalus Decanter Set and Lockable Caddy - Rustic Liquor Case with Mid Century Decanters - Gold Metal Bar Set
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:11 AM on November 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

I thought maybe pen & ink stand. Ink wells and pen holders (now missing) would go in the holes. But because the top flips back it's clear that the rectangular center compartment is meant to hold something. I thought maybe a water reservoir, and the thing is for holding a cut flower arrangement.

Then I saw MonkeyToes's link, and think that's probably right.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 10:13 AM on November 20, 2015

Best answer: This is also similar.
posted by xeney at 10:14 AM on November 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Wow. These are great! A half-barrel design. Just what the wife wants for Christmas!
posted by amanda at 10:14 AM on November 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Mid Century Modern Locking Bar Caddy - Decanter Set & Ice Bucket - Yellow Metal
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:14 AM on November 20, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I'm leaning towards drink caddy as well after this etsy search and unfortunately now I rather want to buy one for myself.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:16 AM on November 20, 2015

Best answer: I've seen something very similar to the last few links in an antique store. The owner had old bottles in it and it looked very appropriate.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:18 AM on November 20, 2015

Best answer: Ooh! Ooh! You know, these are kind of cool although that thrift shop one doesn't seem like among the best. Only space for two glasses? Maybe it's sort of a James Bond kind of scene? It's just you and me, baby.
posted by amanda at 10:19 AM on November 20, 2015 [7 favorites]

Response by poster: Metafilter is the best! Thanks, all.
posted by SuzySmith at 10:25 AM on November 20, 2015

Yeah, my husband's grandma has a lockable booze holder just like this, with the lock still on it "So the Help doesn't get into the sherry, dear."
posted by rmless at 11:49 AM on November 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

When you purchase it, show up with two glasses and three bottles of wine/booze.
posted by fings at 8:56 PM on November 20, 2015 [1 favorite]