I don’t think anyone has identified the item Michael Cregar
inquired about (Farm Collector, August 2005, page 6). I
have one like it. A German woman told me it was used to lift a
metal hot water bottle out of the water, and it was also used as a
bed warmer after wrapping it in a towel or rag. Hope this
helps.
– Emil Vahrenberg
P.O. Box 96
201 S. Cherry St.
Chamois, MO 65024-0096