A real puzzler. The seller lists some guesses,
but none seem likely to me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505

Whatever goes in the cup can't be too tall,
or it will hit the handle. It can't be
on fire, or it will get soot on the handle
and heat it up. The fact that the cup swivels
suggests it holds a liquid or maybe a powder,
the swivel action to keep it from spilling.
Maybe it does spill sometimes, hence the dish.

In article >, says...
>
> A real puzzler. The seller lists some guesses,
> but none seem likely to me.
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505

It's an old brandy warmer; the brandy goes in the cup, beneath which
there would have been a tiny flame (a candle, or meths in a little
holder).
When the brandy is warm the cup swivels to empty into a glass.

Janet UK

On 2012-05-14, Janet > wrote:

> It's an old brandy warmer; the brandy goes in the cup, beneath which
> there would have been a tiny flame (a candle, or meths in a little
> holder).
> When the brandy is warm the cup swivels to empty into a glass.

Nope. Don't think so. That's a pretty large bowl for a "tiny
flame". I can't say what it is, but don't think it's that.

nb

--
vi --the heart of evil!
Support labeling GMOs
<http://www.labelgmos.org/>

On 5/14/2012 5:54 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:
> A real puzzler. The seller lists some guesses,
> but none seem likely to me.
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505
>
> Whatever goes in the cup can't be too tall,
> or it will hit the handle. It can't be
> on fire, or it will get soot on the handle
> and heat it up. The fact that the cup swivels
> suggests it holds a liquid or maybe a powder,
> the swivel action to keep it from spilling.
> Maybe it does spill sometimes, hence the dish.


That is a cup to hold water for hand washing. Orthodox Jews must wash
their hands in a proscribed manner and say a blessing before meals. The
cup tilts and dispenses enough water to satisfy the Halachic amount.
I've seen them before.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

On May 14, 4:21*pm, Janet Wilder > wrote:
> On 5/14/2012 5:54 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:
>
> > A real puzzler. *The seller lists some guesses,
> > but none seem likely to me.
>
> >http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505
>
> > Whatever goes in the cup can't be too tall,
> > or it will hit the handle. *It can't be
> > on fire, or it will get soot on the handle
> > and heat it up. *The fact that the cup swivels
> > suggests it holds a liquid or maybe a powder,
> > the swivel action to keep it from spilling.
> > Maybe it does spill sometimes, hence the dish.
>
> That is a cup to hold water for hand washing. *Orthodox Jews must wash
> their hands in a proscribed manner and say a blessing before meals. The
> cup tilts and dispenses enough water to satisfy the Halachic amount.
> I've seen them before.
>
> --
> Janet Wilder
> Way-the-heck-south Texas
> Spelling doesn't count. *Cooking does.

With the thing only being 5 1/2" wide it seems kinda small to be able
wash ones hands. and the cup part is only 1 3/4 wide.

Janet Wilder wrote:

> That is a cup to hold water for hand washing. Orthodox Jews must wash
> their hands in a proscribed manner

Proscribed means forbidden. Prescribed means required or recommended.

Chemo the Clown wrote:
> On May 14, 4:21 pm, Janet Wilder > wrote:
........................
>>
>> That is a cup to hold water for hand washing. Orthodox Jews must wash
>> their hands in a proscribed manner and say a blessing before meals.
>> The cup tilts and dispenses enough water to satisfy the Halachic
>> amount. I've seen them before.
>>
>> --
>> Janet Wilder
>> Way-the-heck-south Texas
>> Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.
>
> With the thing only being 5 1/2" wide it seems kinda small to be able
> wash ones hands. and the cup part is only 1 3/4 wide.

It is for ritual handwashing, not for a bath. Thanks for the
identification,
Janet, I had heard of these but never seen one.

pavane

On Monday, May 14, 2012 5:54:34 PM UTC-5, Mark Thorson wrote:
> A real puzzler. The seller lists some guesses,
> but none seem likely to me.
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505
>
> Whatever goes in the cup can't be too tall,
> or it will hit the handle. It can't be
> on fire, or it will get soot on the handle
> and heat it up. The fact that the cup swivels
> suggests it holds a liquid or maybe a powder,
> the swivel action to keep it from spilling.
> Maybe it does spill sometimes, hence the dish.


It looks like you were supposed to be able to dump out whatever was in the dish without losing any of whatever was in the cup. I'm guessing the dish held hot water to keep butter or something melted or warm during the meal. If the water started getting cold it would be easy to replace it.

On 5/14/2012 6:15 PM, notbob wrote:
> On 2012-05-14, > wrote:
>
>> It's an old brandy warmer; the brandy goes in the cup, beneath which
>> there would have been a tiny flame (a candle, or meths in a little
>> holder).
>> When the brandy is warm the cup swivels to empty into a glass.
>
> Nope. Don't think so. That's a pretty large bowl for a "tiny
> flame". I can't say what it is, but don't think it's that.

Yeah, there wouldn't be anything burning in the bottom bowl - that would
destroy the silver.

Sky

--

Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!

On 5/14/2012 6:21 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
> On 5/14/2012 5:54 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:
>> A real puzzler. The seller lists some guesses,
>> but none seem likely to me.
>>
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505
>>
>> Whatever goes in the cup can't be too tall,
>> or it will hit the handle. It can't be
>> on fire, or it will get soot on the handle
>> and heat it up. The fact that the cup swivels
>> suggests it holds a liquid or maybe a powder,
>> the swivel action to keep it from spilling.
>> Maybe it does spill sometimes, hence the dish.
>
>
> That is a cup to hold water for hand washing. Orthodox Jews must wash
> their hands in a proscribed manner and say a blessing before meals. The
> cup tilts and dispenses enough water to satisfy the Halachic amount.
> I've seen them before.

Ah, that makes sense! I can see how it was 'designed'. Thanks for the
explanation. It is rather ornate and simplistic at the same time,
perhaps properly so to designate the significance of its use.

Sky

--

Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice!!

In article >, AtM
says...
>
> On 5/14/2012 6:15 PM, notbob wrote:
> > On 2012-05-14, > wrote:
> >
> >> It's an old brandy warmer; the brandy goes in the cup, beneath which
> >> there would have been a tiny flame (a candle, or meths in a little
> >> holder).
> >> When the brandy is warm the cup swivels to empty into a glass.
> >
> > Nope. Don't think so. That's a pretty large bowl for a "tiny
> > flame". I can't say what it is, but don't think it's that.
>
> Yeah, there wouldn't be anything burning in the bottom bowl - that would
> destroy the silver.

Try reading " a candle or meths IN A LITTLE HOLDER", above.

A century or few ago, silver warmers (with meth spirit burning IN A
LITTLE HOLDER beneath) for teapots, serving dishes etc were in widespread
use among wealthy people with grand houses, whose dining rooms were a
long way from the kitchen. Burners did not destroy silver; that's why so
many have survived intact.

Janet UK

Janet Wilder wrote:
>
> That is a cup to hold water for hand washing. Orthodox Jews must wash
> their hands in a proscribed manner and say a blessing before meals. The
> cup tilts and dispenses enough water to satisfy the Halachic amount.
> I've seen them before.

Huh! Well, that's a new one on me.
I had been thinking it was an inkwell
missing its glass insert.

In article >,
Mark Thorson > wrote:

> http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505

Maybe for salt?
--
Barb,
http://web.me.com/barbschaller September 5, 2011

On May 14, 9:26*pm, Sky > wrote:
> On 5/14/2012 6:21 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 5/14/2012 5:54 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:
> >> A real puzzler. The seller lists some guesses,
> >> but none seem likely to me.
>
> >>http://www.ebay.com/itm/160799433505
>
> >> Whatever goes in the cup can't be too tall,
> >> or it will hit the handle. It can't be
> >> on fire, or it will get soot on the handle
> >> and heat it up. The fact that the cup swivels
> >> suggests it holds a liquid or maybe a powder,
> >> the swivel action to keep it from spilling.
> >> Maybe it does spill sometimes, hence the dish.
>
> > That is a cup to hold water for hand washing. Orthodox Jews must wash
> > their hands in a proscribed manner and say a blessing before meals. The
> > cup tilts and dispenses enough water to satisfy the Halachic amount.
> > I've seen them before.
>
> Ah, that makes sense! *I can see how it was 'designed'. *Thanks for the
> explanation. *It is rather ornate and simplistic at the same time,
> perhaps properly so to designate the significance of its use.
>


I like the Muslim handwashing sets better -- check out this one from
Morocco:

http://yhst-64477706453472.stores.ya...tahawaset.html