Can anyone identify this thing?

[nurdlinger]

I bought it on eBay several years ago. At that time, it was discussed in a Usenet group in which I participated. They had suggestions about what it could be but nobody was certain. I had occasion to move it from one closet to another recently and so I decided to have another try at identifying it. Photos are taken on the stove mostly because it afforded a flat, lit surface and also to provide scale. I have no idea whether it is a stovetop item, but the glass is thinner than most Pyrex implements I have seen. I think that I will not bias the opinions by reporting what the others had guessed.

 

[retrogirl]

Is it possible the lid did not originally go with the base? Check out this link to a glass chicken roaster, the bottom of your piece looks exactly like it to me.

Virginia

http://mightynest.com/shop/kitchen-table/cookware-bakeware/glass-cookware-bakeware/glass-chicken-roaster

 

[washdaddy]

I have to agree with Virginia. If it wasn't for the lid I would have thought it to be a vertical chicken roaster made of glass.

 

[nurdlinger]

I have to agree about the base

It looks exactly like the Simax chicken roaster. There are no brand-identifying marks on either the base or the lid. The lid has a particular construction in that it has an annular trough at the bottom of the domed part, that is why the diameter is so much greater than the base piece. Usenet folks suggested the lid was for collecting condensation from something in the bottom part, keeping it from running back into the bottom (or else isolating it for separate use); but nobody could suggest exactly what would be processed that way. I thought that having a brand identification (i.e. Simax) would be helpful but was not able to find any pieces on eBay or Google that had both pieces. Many hits on the lower part, offered as the chicken roaster. I think it'll just live in my closet and puzzle my heirs when they are disposing of my household goods.

 

[ptcruiser51]

I know I've seen this somewhere....

My guess is that it's to produce distilled water for home use in small quantities for a steam iron or medical vaporizer or some such.  The bottom has an obvious spout, the opening on the top with the "thing"  is to act as a chimney to prevent excess pressure buildup.  Condensation on the inside of the dome would drain down into the base.  Handle on top for easy removal and burn avoidance.  It does look thin, probably intended for gas ring or old-time hotplates used to cook starch for laundry use.

 

Either that or it has some chemistry/pharmacy use.