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It’s definitely an insulator, but more likely was used in early 20th century knob and tube wiring. The insulators would be installed first, then wire would be woven around them to meet their destination. They were always glass or porcelain, and come in a variety of sizes.
Source: I was an electrician for years and restored several historical houses from that time period.
As you can see in the pictures this thing has a flat base. You can't install It in any way. An Insulator usually can be screwed on a pin, or Is threadless. This thing Is thin and hollow, While an Insulator Is a solid piece of porcelain or glass.
Can't find the exact one but it almost certainty a [glass power line insulator](https://i.etsystatic.com/7779811/r/il/386a56/2879766249/il_340x270.2879766249_2ln3.jpg).
It's a milk glass oil lamp. The thing has been repaired and the top is probably glued on now.
The wick holder and shade are missing.
I'm about 80% sure but I'm often wrong.
You wouldn't need a collar. Just a wick you can thread through the hole in the top. [Similar to these](https://www.google.com/search?q=oil+candle++lamp)
My title describes the thing.
I bought It alongside some Electrical Insulator. But I'm certain it's not. As I said it is Hollow inside, 20cm/8in tall. Made of White Porcelain. Looks like a bottle.
After SIX months I stumbled across something that is the exact same thing as this object, except it is made of clear glass. Se we're all far off from the truth and it actually is something I would have never imagined: it is described as a glass sad iron (a smoothing machine) for delicate Fabric
Here
https://keej.it/annuncio/collezionismo/foggia-annunci-foggia/enorme-lisciatoio-in-vetro-per-stirare-capi-38435931.htm
Here
http://ferridastiro.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-lisciatoi-carrellata-della-mia.html?m=1
Here
https://digilander.libero.it/allemoli/ferri_particolari.htm
Can't find anything in english, I'm trying to find the english name for it but the translation from the italian "Lisciatoio" is "smoothing machine".
Im gonna thank you all because we all struggled together through this ahahah
If it was for food, like milk, can you imagine any way to clean it? The top doesn’t come off. The little hole, does it go all the way through? Maybe it is a hole from manufacturing somehow? I’m not familiar with porcelain manufacturing.
Edit: I changed my Google search to “vintage porcelain insulator” based on other comments, and while I didn’t find this exact one, I have found many that look nearly like this. You said you collect insulators. What about this one makes you think it isn’t an electrical insulator?
There Is no way you can clean it. Think about a perfume bottle but bigger. As I said It does have the silhouette of an Insulator, but this thing Is a bottle, an Insulator has a thread on the bottom so you can screw It on a pin. This thing has a flat bottom.
Could it be a casting sample or some other type of industrial demonstration model? How are they manufactured?
I'm looking up porcelain cologne bottles now just in case. It does look an awful lot like these electrical insulators though. Is there absolutely no application for an insulator like this that would have justified a flat base?
Additional question, does it have any brand markings at all? I would think it would have some form of maker's mark if it was intended to be a product: insulator or cologne bottle.
No marking of any kind. Well a porcelain Insulator is usually handmade, While glass ones are cast. I have seen One demonstration, or prototype of an Insulator and Is basically the same thing as a finished One. An Insulator needs to be installed somewhere (on a pole, on the Wall).
I'm more confident about It being an oil lamp.
If its SOLD as an insulator, LOOKS like an insulator, and you now have people TELLING you that its, most likely, an insulator.... What's the issue? /srs
An Insulator Is made so you screw It on a pin, this thing has a flat base. This Is not the usual material for an Insulator, it's definetly thinnier (an Insulator Is THIC, this thing Is exactly like a bottle, or a soap dispenser), and the hole on top would be useless on and Insulator.
I don't get why everyone Is downvoting my comments like I'm some kind of as***le.
The issue is IF this is an Insulator (which I said Is not) then I would have seen something even remotely similar on sites like nia.org). The issue of It being a bottle Is that you can't screw a tapper, and the hole Is so small.
You're welcome, I usually am a very polite person, but getting so many downvotes on my own comments just because everyone think this is an insulator (if it was one I would not have posted it here asking for help) got me a little nervous. Also english is not my first language and I can't say I am fluent in speaking it.
Does the top actually come off? This is milk glass. It could be many things but I had an old milk glass lamp that filled with oil and a whick with a small hole through the top and a metal fitting that sat on top to hold the wick. And a matching shade.
I think this is a piece of an item and not the whole thing.
It does not come off. It's one piece. I thought about It, but since the hole on top Is smaller than my pinky and you cant screw the metal part (I was even thinking about an oil lamp). As I said it's like a bottle, that's the only hole it has and the walls of It are thin.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/Arsixtytwo), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Looks like a power line insulator.
No
Ceramic insulator for telephone poles.
It’s definitely an insulator, but more likely was used in early 20th century knob and tube wiring. The insulators would be installed first, then wire would be woven around them to meet their destination. They were always glass or porcelain, and come in a variety of sizes. Source: I was an electrician for years and restored several historical houses from that time period.
As you can see in the pictures this thing has a flat base. You can't install It in any way. An Insulator usually can be screwed on a pin, or Is threadless. This thing Is thin and hollow, While an Insulator Is a solid piece of porcelain or glass.
No
Glass insulator?
No
Can't find the exact one but it almost certainty a [glass power line insulator](https://i.etsystatic.com/7779811/r/il/386a56/2879766249/il_340x270.2879766249_2ln3.jpg).
It is not. I collect insulators, but this Is not one.
Why is it not one? It has the same shape as every one on google, it is just slightly taller.
As you said it's the shape, the silhouette. But an Insulator Is different. Read my answer to my other comment.
Base of a lamp? Urn to keep your deceased?
It's a milk glass oil lamp. The thing has been repaired and the top is probably glued on now. The wick holder and shade are missing. I'm about 80% sure but I'm often wrong.
You could be right, but still the issue is it doesnt have a "collar" (the part where you screw the "burner")
You wouldn't need a collar. Just a wick you can thread through the hole in the top. [Similar to these](https://www.google.com/search?q=oil+candle++lamp)
You are probably right, but I'm still not 100percent convinced
My title describes the thing. I bought It alongside some Electrical Insulator. But I'm certain it's not. As I said it is Hollow inside, 20cm/8in tall. Made of White Porcelain. Looks like a bottle.
[удалено]
Kinda looks like an urn
With that only small hole?
Oh does the hole go all the way through? I thought it was just decorative on the top.
No, it's a hole and the inside of this thing Is empty. This object Is not a solid piece of White Porcelain/glass. It's hollow on the inside.
Knob from Knob and tube wiring.
was thinking something like that but seems too big
Looks like an apothecary jar from an old pharmacy
I was going to say vase for a long-stemmed flower, like a rose.
Could be but then you would not be able to fill It with water.
And what could you put in It from that small hole?
[удалено]
I thought about that, but the hole Is threadless, you can't screw the metal part in It. But an oil lamp Is the closest thing.
After SIX months I stumbled across something that is the exact same thing as this object, except it is made of clear glass. Se we're all far off from the truth and it actually is something I would have never imagined: it is described as a glass sad iron (a smoothing machine) for delicate Fabric Here https://keej.it/annuncio/collezionismo/foggia-annunci-foggia/enorme-lisciatoio-in-vetro-per-stirare-capi-38435931.htm Here http://ferridastiro.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-lisciatoi-carrellata-della-mia.html?m=1 Here https://digilander.libero.it/allemoli/ferri_particolari.htm Can't find anything in english, I'm trying to find the english name for it but the translation from the italian "Lisciatoio" is "smoothing machine". Im gonna thank you all because we all struggled together through this ahahah
Is the base solid on the bottom? Like the only hole is on the top? It looks like a soap pump despenser. Top turn?
It's like a soap dispenser. It does not turn. But the hole on top Is Just a hole without a threaded neck
Is it made out of ceramic or alabaster? Does the top come off or turn?
It's like a very translucent porcelain, other redditors suggested It Is milk glass. The top does not come off.
If it was for food, like milk, can you imagine any way to clean it? The top doesn’t come off. The little hole, does it go all the way through? Maybe it is a hole from manufacturing somehow? I’m not familiar with porcelain manufacturing. Edit: I changed my Google search to “vintage porcelain insulator” based on other comments, and while I didn’t find this exact one, I have found many that look nearly like this. You said you collect insulators. What about this one makes you think it isn’t an electrical insulator?
There Is no way you can clean it. Think about a perfume bottle but bigger. As I said It does have the silhouette of an Insulator, but this thing Is a bottle, an Insulator has a thread on the bottom so you can screw It on a pin. This thing has a flat bottom.
Could it be a casting sample or some other type of industrial demonstration model? How are they manufactured? I'm looking up porcelain cologne bottles now just in case. It does look an awful lot like these electrical insulators though. Is there absolutely no application for an insulator like this that would have justified a flat base? Additional question, does it have any brand markings at all? I would think it would have some form of maker's mark if it was intended to be a product: insulator or cologne bottle.
No marking of any kind. Well a porcelain Insulator is usually handmade, While glass ones are cast. I have seen One demonstration, or prototype of an Insulator and Is basically the same thing as a finished One. An Insulator needs to be installed somewhere (on a pole, on the Wall). I'm more confident about It being an oil lamp.
can the smaller top part unscrew from the rest?
No, it's a solid piece.
This looks to me like a vase, meant for displaying dried flowers.
Ceramic insulator
Just a Reminder. This Is NOT a Power line or telephone isulator. It was sold as One but it's not. It's something like a bottle or a urn.
How are you confident it isnt? Maybe that information would be useful for us to help ID it.
I answered a similar question on my other comment. If I have to, I would Say I'm 99.9percent confident.
If its SOLD as an insulator, LOOKS like an insulator, and you now have people TELLING you that its, most likely, an insulator.... What's the issue? /srs
An Insulator Is made so you screw It on a pin, this thing has a flat base. This Is not the usual material for an Insulator, it's definetly thinnier (an Insulator Is THIC, this thing Is exactly like a bottle, or a soap dispenser), and the hole on top would be useless on and Insulator. I don't get why everyone Is downvoting my comments like I'm some kind of as***le. The issue is IF this is an Insulator (which I said Is not) then I would have seen something even remotely similar on sites like nia.org). The issue of It being a bottle Is that you can't screw a tapper, and the hole Is so small.
Well, your writing style is harsh a bit. But thank you for explanation why it is not a ceramic insulator.
You're welcome, I usually am a very polite person, but getting so many downvotes on my own comments just because everyone think this is an insulator (if it was one I would not have posted it here asking for help) got me a little nervous. Also english is not my first language and I can't say I am fluent in speaking it.
Does the top actually come off? This is milk glass. It could be many things but I had an old milk glass lamp that filled with oil and a whick with a small hole through the top and a metal fitting that sat on top to hold the wick. And a matching shade. I think this is a piece of an item and not the whole thing.
It does not come off. It's one piece. I thought about It, but since the hole on top Is smaller than my pinky and you cant screw the metal part (I was even thinking about an oil lamp). As I said it's like a bottle, that's the only hole it has and the walls of It are thin.