Featured Glass thing, what is it? (I think I might get embarrased)

It's 4.5 inches square and stands 1.5 inches tall (12cm x 3.8cm). It weighs approx. 1250g (2.75 lbs.). The glass is completely clear. The bottom is flat. The top slopes inward to the centre (USA "center") along 4 triangular surfaces. I think it's too boring to be a paperweight and the wrong shape for a hamburger press! My guess is an ashtray. Without rests.What else could it be?

 

Any mysterious reflections in it? Could it be an ancient INCA pyramid artifact?!

Joke apart, thinking a desk tidy/vide poche

 

Hmmm...for the desk that has everything !
Heh - no spooky in it, too bad ! Took some flash photos that look woo tho'...

 

Hi,
Looks like a new take off of OLD Philadelphia sidewalk lights. They were placed in cement on the sidewalks to help light the interiors of the basements. I have several stuffed away but they are all worn down and purpled. They were over 150 years old when I got them in the 1970s.
greg

 

Wow ! That triggered a sudden, long forgotten memory of walking on such things ! Some links for those who never have -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavement_light
https://scoutmagazine.ca/2018/04/30/hunting-vancouvers-forgotten-sidewalk-prisms/

 

similarly called deck prisms, and used to direct light below deck in old ships; often hexagonal...

 

I.E......

 

pretty and cool...I don't remember them! I do remember the trolley cars in Philadelphia though.... and getting sick drinking the water there!

 

i have the same one..
dad used it as a catch all for small items that came across his desk...
still have his desk too...

 

I, too, immediately thought "desk accessory". Perhaps a paperweight that doubles as a paperclip holder?

 

I remember stores in Manchester that had glass 'bricks' in the sidewalk to provide light. There was a basement shoe store that we went to - I'm sure they sold Buster Brown's - and I remember looking up through the glass 'lights'.

 

I was also born and lived in Manchester, NH, you're bringing back memories. I also remember those stores, and my mother bought our shoes at that shoe store.

 

I don't know what yours is but I'm staying at a hotel at the moment and couldn't help noticing the similarity of the soap dish to yours. Theirs is heavy plastic and there is a larger one for all the shampoo etc.

 

Hmmm...so, it wasn't made yesterday. OK!

 

I would JUMP if mine were to fall towards my foot ! Looks like a brick of plain glass may have many uses.

 

oh, it's solid alright..... that's thick glass..!

 

I wonder if these were numerous - any idea when your dad got that?

 

best I can remember was the 80's.....I think I remember 1st seeing it in the early 90's though..
Not something I played with as a kid...

 

Playing with Dad's stuff can get one in trouble...! I just showed mine to someone and they remembered a work colleague having the exact same one ! I guess fathers got them in lieu of ties, socks and desk sets at Christmas.