You were sifting through old kitchen wares at your boyfriend’s grandparents’ house when you came across something curious: a glass “votive‑like” object with a coil attached. It’s clearly old, unused for decades, and its function is a mystery. What could it be?
Below is a summary of the Reddit thread, commentary from users, and some reasoned possibilities about what it might be.
The Reddit Thread & What People Suggested
On r/whatisthisthing, a user posted a similar find:
“Going through old kitchen wares in my boyfriend’s grandparents house. Found a glass votive of some kind with a coil attached. Hasn’t been touched in decades, what is this?” Reddit
Here are some of the more interesting or repeated ideas from commenters:
- One user proposed it’s a whiskey & cigar glass: “You’d rest the bottle’s neck on the coil and pour, turning the glass as you pour to coat the glass’ interior … the coil might also hold a cigar to warm or flavor the drink.” Reddit
That is, the glass holds the drink; the coil is part of a support / warming / flavoring mechanism. - Another commenter suggested it might be a brandy/cognac warmer or part thereof. Reddit
The idea is that the coil is used to hold a heat source (e.g. a candle or small burner) underneath or around the glass, warming the spirit gently. - Some doubted that exact match but agreed the object had to be a glass + metal hybrid drink accessory, possibly missing other parts. Reddit
- One user described something similar, but claimed that in their case it was an ashtray with a removable bowl, the coil helping extinguish cigarettes. Reddit
- A few folks tried to find replicas or images, but none quite matched, especially with the coil piece attached. Reddit
By the end, many on the thread leaned toward “It’s related to whiskey / brandy warming or drink presentation” as the most plausible use, if partially incomplete. Reddit
So, based on Reddit’s crowd wisdom + your description, here are possible explanations (and caveats) for your find.
What It Might Be (Possibilities & Analysis)
Given: a glass “votive‑like” body + a coil (metal) attached, old, unused. Let’s run through plausible identities.
1. Whiskey / Cigar / Brandy Warmer / Drink Accessory
This is the leading hypothesis (and what many Redditors suggested). The object might have been part of a set for warming spirits, enhancing aroma, or even combining a cigar stand with a drink vessel. The coil could serve:
- As a support for the glass (suspending it)
- As a stand to hold a small flame or heating element beneath or beside it
- As a clip or cradle for a cigar (for warming or flavor infusion)
It might now be incomplete (missing base, burner, or mounting) which is why it “just looks like a glass with coil.”
2. Decorative Candle / Votive Holder with Coil Function
Since your initial thought was it looked like a votive, it’s possible it was meant to hold a candle, and the coil was part of a mounting or decorative scheme. But:
- If it were just a candle holder, the coil would need to relate to supporting or positioning the glass or flame.
- But the lack of any evident candle wax residue or soot might argue against this.
3. Ashtray or Cigarette / Cigar Accessory
Some comments proposed that the coil was meant to hold or rest a cigar, or help extinguish it by placing it in contact with the coil. But if the glass is “votive-like,” this is a stretch unless the glass part was repurposed.
4. Another Part or Insert Missing
The object may be incomplete: i.e. what you hold is only part of a larger apparatus (base, burner, frame) that’s missing. That would explain why it doesn’t “do anything” now.
5. Less Likely Alternatives
- A heating or warming vessel for small liquids (cordial, liqueur)
- A small lab or scientific glass + metal hybrid (unlikely in a kitchen)
- A display / ornamental object rather than functional
My Best Guess & What You Can Do Next
Given what you’ve said + the Reddit commentary, the most plausible explanation is that this is a fragment or component of a whiskey / brandy warmer / presentation accessory, possibly connecting drink + cigar experiences. The coil likely held / supported heat or a small flame element.
To get closer to certainty, you can:
- Search for vintage barware or whiskey warming sets with coils or metal attachments. Compare images.
- Look for maker’s marks or engravings in the glass or metal (underneath, inside curves).
- Ask in specialized antique / barware forums — people who collect vintage bar sets might recognize the style.
- Post clear photos (different angles, coil detail, underside) to sites like r/whatisthisthing or antique barware groups — images help tremendously.
