The Description
A Reddit user posted the following as their discovery:
- Found in Florida
- About 18 inches tall
- Made of metal, heavy
- Contains a large glass bead/sphere as part of its structure
- No moving parts, no mechanical workings, doesn’t make noise
- Likely just a decorative or structural object
Given those characteristics, the object seemed both sturdy and ornamental, not obviously utilitarian.
Reddit’s Investigation & Commentary
On the thread “Found in fl, 18″ tall, metal, big round bead is glass. Heavy. Nothing is mechanical or moves and it does not make a sound” (on r/whatisthisthing) Reddit, many Redditors chimed in with guesses. Some highlights:
- One user immediately suggested it is part of a vintage Health-O-Meter bathroom scale — specifically “the top bit” of such a scale. Reddit
- They claimed the glass bead is the dial or indicator portion that normally floats or sits above some internal mechanism in the scale. Reddit
- Others agreed, saying they recognized similar bathroom scales with the same aesthetic. Reddit
- Some speculated the mechanism might be stuck, disabled, or missing (which would explain why nothing moves or makes sound) Reddit
One succinct verdict:
“The Vintage Health‑O‑Meter Scale. … Yours is just the top bit, it attaches to the bottom part and floats above it. … It’s a bathroom scale, in effect.” Reddit
And someone added: “It’s a really really old scale … looks like a scale, it not moving is probably due to condition/rust.” Reddit
By the end, multiple people declared “Solved!” in the thread. Reddit
So the Reddit community’s consensus is that your object is the upper / visible portion of a vintage standing scale—likely the part that held a weight indicator (in glass) above a base or mechanism that has since been removed, destroyed, or corroded.
Reasonableness of the Scale Hypothesis
Let’s look at how well that guess matches your description:
| Feature | Description | Matches the scale theory? |
|---|---|---|
| ** ~18 in tall ** | Substantial size, more than just a small ornament | Many vintage floor scales had tall indicator rods or columns |
| ** Metal & heavy ** | Solid construction | Scales often were made of metal for durability and stability |
| ** Glass “bead” / sphere ** | The most eye-catching part | Could be the weighing dial or float indicator, sometimes glass-encased |
| ** No moving parts now ** | “Dead” object | The internal mechanics or linkage may be missing or jammed |
| ** No sound, no mechanical action ** | Inert now | Suggests it’s detached from its mechanical base or the base is missing |
Given these correspondences, the scale explanation is quite plausible.
Other Possible Theories (Less Likely)
While Reddit’s consensus seems strong, alternative interpretations—less supported but worth considering—include:
- Decorative or garden sculpture / finial
The glass sphere could be purely decorative, with the metal structure acting as support. But a sculpture of that nature might have more artistic curves or emphasis, not this kind of tall straight format. - Lamp or lighting fixture component
If the glass bead was meant to diffuse light, maybe it was once part of a lamp post or decorative light. But the absence of wiring, sockets, or movement argues against that. - Architectural ornament / finial
It might have been the top of a railing, post, or fence, with the glass element added for adornment. Again, the scale explanation is stronger given the Reddit discussion. - Scientific or measuring instrument
It could have been part of a barometer, thermometer, or some device that used a glass bulb—but no moving parts or scale readings remain, and the size seems large for these.
Best Guess & Final Thoughts
Based on the Reddit thread and the match of descriptive features, the best guess is that this item is the upper portion of a vintage floor (bathroom) scale, specifically the part that contained or supported the glass dial/indicator. Over time, the lower mechanical parts or linkage likely corroded, broke, or were removed, leaving only the ornamental/remnant top piece you discovered.
