There are two subjects this column seriously tries to avoid: religion and politics. But this month's "Guess What" slightly deviates from this self-imposed policy, since we are presenting an item with a somewhat "holier-than-thou" history. This is our "punny" way of attempting to describe the micro-mesh like machine punched holes that completely makes up the physical characteristics of the piece. It has a ring for hanging, made completely of tin and the smooth, drip on soldering technique is to die for, putting it somewhere around 1870. Stands 41/2" H x 2" in diameter.

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It comes apart as shown.

The following are some suggested possibilities:
1) Pregnant guppy underwater birthing chamber
2) Child's single portion rice cooker
3) Swinging baker's confectioner sugar sifter
4) Bouillion cube diving bell flavor dissolver
5) Live minnow bait bucket prototype
6) Closet mothball holder
7) Easter egg dye tinting dipper
8) Insect "bring-em-back-alive" field trip canister
9) Beef jerky air -curing chamber
10) Swinging 3600 mini bubble maker
11) Scrap pieces soap saver
12) Sesame seed toaster
13) Vampire garlic neck pendant
14) Hard boiled egg hot water dipper and retriever
15) Seed corn air-drying chamber
16) Window box plant insecticide duster
17) Split pea softening soaker
18) Coffee pot coffee grounds container
19) Miniature hanging windproof candle lantern
20) Baby food manual puree masher/strainer.

On your marks, get set, guess! Correct answer next month*

*From the 50th Anniversary collection of dealer/collectors Ernie and Edna Jones, Mohegan Lake, NY.