I picked up this wooden object at our local auction house and was wondering if anyone can tell me the use for it? I think I know? It seems to be turned from a boxwood or hard maple wood, the ball rolls around nicely inside of the socket without falling out. It's stamped as Pratt & Lambert.

 

I'll give it a WAG.  Use it to massage your palm and wrist when it cramps up while painting.

Stamp licker maybe

I'm thinking furniture or chair caster?

Vintage fidget spinner.

 

Edited February 21, 20206 yr by HandyDan

Is the ball held in with a dowel?

18 minutes ago, Ron Dudelston said:

Is the ball held in with a dowel?

Appears to be free within a socket.

No idea, but it sure is interesting.

Small item veneer roller?

"pratt & lambert varnish marker" search turns up repair pens. Maybe @kmealy might know.

Roll it over your varnished surface to check for drying status.

Maybe for applying varnish to Pinocchio's armpits?

 

 

30 minutes ago, Cal said:

Maybe for applying varnish to Pinocchio's armpits?

 

 

On 2/21/2020 at 3:37 PM, HandyDan said:

I'll give it a WAG.  Use it to massage your palm and wrist when it cramps up while painting.

Dan, you're the closest to the use of this thing. The auctioneer told me that this was used for "massaging" the body but he didn't say which part. I like your answer. Now........ how was this put together????

I would cut a block into two pieces, turn the socket for the ball into each piece, insert the ball and carefully glue it back together and turn the out side to shape.  The socket and ball should be thoroughly waxed before gluing.

On 2/28/2020 at 9:08 AM, HandyDan said:

I would cut a block into two pieces, turn the socket for the ball into each piece, insert the ball and carefully glue it back together and turn the out side to shape.  The socket and ball should be thoroughly waxed before gluing.

As explained to me, the ball was turned separately, then really dried, while the cup was turned with the wood extremely wet, and then the two put together(ball into wet cup). Anyone care to duplicate this??????