“What is this metal rattle-shaped item?” Answer: “It’s just a sterling silver baby rattle-shaped keepsake box.

“What is this serving tray/board? Metal and wood” Answer: “It’s for serving bagels with trays for lox and cream cheese. It’s missing the rods to hold the bagels and the glass dishes.

“What is this thing? It’s metal, and relatively flexible, but I felt at one point it would break. Just suddenly found it in my house one day.” Answer: “It’s ’boning’ from a corset or knee brace.”

“What is this small, metal hooky thing with a rubber tip found in a jewelry box?” Answer: “I believe that is for hanging a purse off of the side of a table in a restaurant.

“What is this heavy clear glass thing with holes in a silver plate stand?” Answer: “It is a flower vase.

“Found in my pantry’s tool cabinet, the ovalish section slides up and down.” Answer: “It’s a holder for a stem thermometer.

“White glazed ceramic dish and/or planter? Illegible (to me) markings on bottom.” Answer: “It is a mid-century console bowl.

“Glass vase thing found in a thrift store in Navarre, FL.” Answer: “It’s a kind of drinking bottle used in Spain, specifically Catalonia.

“What is this plier-handled tool with gear-toothed rollers turned by a wing crank at the top?” Answer: “That looks a lot like a really nice paint tube squeezer.

“I found this in an old cupboard. I think it might be tarnished silver?” Answer: “It’s a lyre to hold sheet music while marching.

“Have had this in my family’s house for years! Moves like chopsticks, any idea?” Answer: “It’s an antique or antique-styled glove stretcher.

“What are these cutouts on the cover of my notebook?” Answer: The slots are for card holding.

“Hefty brass vessel riveted to thin metal arm with wooden handle?” Answer: “It’s part of a petroleum flash point tester.

“Glass things found at the thrift store. I thought they might be lab equipment. I am not a scientist.” Answer: “These may be oil lamps, with missing round wicks that hang down into the teardrop-shaped oil reservoirs.

“Feels like hard rubber and was found in the ground.” Answer: “Those are cattle brands, it is the base from a horseshoe set.”

“What is this thing? I’m not sure what this type of keychain device is (or is used for). Any ideas?” Answer: "Water Quality Tester that analyzes any water and shows the result on the app.”

“Found when cleaning my parents basement. Looks like some sort of book holder or something. It is made out of wood and the paint is heavily chipped. Ripped up pieces of newspaper were found inside the top compartment, one of which was dated 1967.” Answer: “It’s an Italian (Florentine style) phone stand.

“It was titled at auction as a ‘sewing bag’ but it’s completely padded inside and I have no idea what it’s for.” Answer: “Tea cozy, this particular style was common in the Netherlands.

"What is this engraved block of wood used for? 5"x5″, possibly a game? What is it?" Answer: “This game is called Rota, it’s meant to be played by 2 people.”

“What is this strange looking piece of furniture for? It’s about the size of a footstool.” Answer: “Ergonomic kneeling chair.