its a watchamacallit..

I saw something like it, but it was mounted on a clamp that clamped to your table. It was like a third hand, for holding material.
Just a guess
Syl

Personally, I'm voting for antique photo equipment!
My grandfather used to develop his own film and I remember seeing something like this, but then, my grandmother used to curl her hair, too! Will be interesting to find out what it really is. Thanks for sharing!

I agree it is a glove stetcher, likely for a gentleman's gloves.

Just another one of those things that make you go "Hmmmm"

Whatever it is, it's really cool!

My idea.....when people made braided rugs, they used some sort of clamp to hold the strands from unwinding while they stitched the braid into a "rug".

Before I read this post earlier, I had never heard of a glove stretcher and couldn't imagine how something like this would be used to stretch gloves...so I googled "victorian glove stretcher" and, after looking the pictures, my vote is definitely on glove stretcher (assuming it is the right size).

Have no idea but have got a kick out of all the guesses. Can't wait to see what you find out about it, (if you do that is) I agree with one of the posts here though, it would hang on my sewing room wall. Someone may just come along and know what it is, if not, it's a good conversation piece.

Thank you Laurlync, I looked it up and I agree with you. There were even some for sale on Ebay!! Thanks to everyone who responded. It was fun searching for an answer, and, when in doubt, ask a quilter, if they don't know, they can (and will) find out. Bless all of you. Hugs, Roberta Marie

:D :thumbup: