Are these tops? I'm not sure

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Lynnie, Jul 24, 2021.

  1. Lynnie

    Lynnie Well-Known Member

    Hi-- I just got these in a box lot and thought at first they were old wooden spinning tops, but now I'm not so sure. They measure 6.75" (the oblong one), and 5.5" (the rounded one). They don't have pointy ends. Any thoughts?

    TIA Lynnie top1.jpg top2.jpg
     
    Lynnie, Jul 24, 2021
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  2. Houseful

    Houseful Well-Known Member

    Might be fishing floats but I’m not certain.
    C36F59A9-75ED-4329-952A-5F2A448BD812.jpeg
     
    Houseful, Jul 24, 2021
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  3. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    I was having the same thought, Houseful!
     
    Bakersgma, Jul 24, 2021
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  4. Lynnie

    Lynnie Well-Known Member

    Fishing floats? Huh. A surprise to me. Thanks.
     
    Lynnie, Jul 24, 2021
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  5. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    Fishing floats will be really light--ie. a less dense wood, so they float high.

    They are also usually colored bright on top (for the user to see) and dark on the bottom (so the fish doesn't see).

    I'm thinking these are not for fishing.
     
    Potteryplease, Jul 24, 2021
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  6. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Perhaps they could have been made for decorative use only.
     
    bluumz, Jul 25, 2021
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  7. all_fakes

    all_fakes Well-Known Member

    They sure look like fishing bobbers to me. As I recall from my fishing days, bobbers are often not made from super-light wood, as there is a trade-off between durability and lightness. More to compare:
    il_570xN_309739297.jpg
     
    all_fakes, Jul 26, 2021
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  8. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    I guess one other way to tell is if there is a place to attach the line: a notch, a hole through the length of the spindle, etc
     
    Potteryplease, Jul 26, 2021
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  9. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    The OP's photos show this. :)
     
    bluumz, Jul 26, 2021
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