What is this? Why so Heavy?

At least twice a year I need to waste a few dollars on something I have no use for but have to know what it was made for.

Coming in at only a short 6.75" and 19lbs, I am trying to imagine why this small brass acorn was made to weigh so much for its size. Three U rings for hanging(sure would hate to have this fall on someone). On opening there are two solid steel halves inside. All the brass is thick and heavy too.

Anyone know this? Thinking it would make a good anchor for a small boat.

 

Reminds me of a thurible.

 

Exactly what I was thinking although embarrassingly I didn’t know what it was called so you have saved me trying to explain incense swingy thing!.

 

If you're raised catholic, some stuff sticks!

 

The poor Priest's arm would fall off trying to swing that back and forth - LOL!!
Wonder what purpose those iron inserts serve? (Besides making it so heavy )

 

What stuck the most with me is the memory of getting beat every couple of weeks in Catholic grade school! I think they put those nuns through boxing boot camp before making them teachers.

 

We did Maypole dancing and sang Kumbaya but that was about it!.
My limited knowledge is that Kumbaya was an appeal for help from God so I hope He is sympathetic as we sang it a lot!.

 

Could it be a counterbalance for something hanging on a single pulley, like a chandelier?

like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-CA...PULLEY-CEILING-LIGHT-OIL-LAMP-1-/303684819287

 

TALK about getting an Education here!!!!! 'Course I'm one of those 'wasps'! Married to a Catholic.....but I bet if I asked him....he wouldn't know!!! But to me, "Why so heavy?" is still a good question!!!

 

You mean one that gets raised and lowered????? That would make sense.........to me, at least!

 

NICE polishing job, @mmarco102!!!

 

Sure looks like the same thing.

 

Wow, this group is both imaginary and informative at the same time. First off, adding “thurible” to my vocabulary . Thank you.

I would imagine the priest would look like Conan the Barbarian, after using that over the years . Of course the first thought was a finial, but not at that weight.

Thanks @smallaxe, never would have thought. Have you seen these before or just dug it up off the internet?

PS, no polishing done as of yet, thats the way I got it. Sadly I don’t think there’s to many gigantic oil lamp chandeliers in USA left. The one smallaxe posted was in Europe(thinking castles)

Thanks again.

 

Also, would it be reasonable to consider this an antique?

 

The thought just came to me while looking at your photo. Then I hunted around to see if my guess was correct, and found that ebay listing.

 

They weren't always swung by hand. Some were suspeded from the roof and pushed. I'm wondering if this is one of the weights.