Asked on Sep 05, 2018

Anyone know what this antique piece actually is?

Leah
by Leah

Hi guys, when I purchased some antique furniture from a guy a really good price. He ended up just giving us I know it's an intake, however I cannot figure out what in the world it is or it's perf hi guys, when I purchased some antique furniture from a guy a really good price. He ended up just giving this And antique. However I have no idea what it is or the purpose of it. I will take several pictures because it's very odd and inside and out. Also I'm just wondering when I could do to it as far as removing the red paneling and replacing something else to modernize it. Thank you in advance!

I'm thinking somebody might have altered it and done something different with it since after they received it as an antique? I truly don't know

Picture of the inside towards the top of the inside… They have two plug-ins that look antique also but then somebody has put a halogen LED light in there.

  16 answers
  • Rebecca Taylor Rebecca Taylor on Sep 05, 2018

    It looks to me like a pulpit that has been altered.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 05, 2018

    Hello Rebecca,

    My guess would be - A lighted Newel post being part of a grand staircase in a house or hotel or theatre or offices. etc. I would be inclined to use it as a Lamp, replacing the red panels for Plexiglass or as a Plant/ Vase/Sculpture stand, cladding the sides with reeded timber and refinishing to suit your own home. Best wishes.

  • JD JD on Sep 05, 2018

    I agree. It is either a pulpit or a lecturn that is wired for a light and / or microphone.

  • Patricia  kelly Patricia kelly on Sep 05, 2018

    i agree i have seen these lights in newel post.

  • Toby Click Toby Click on Sep 05, 2018

    What

  • Toby Click Toby Click on Sep 05, 2018

    Whatever it is, be very careful. That is a rather large brown recluse pictured by the outlets.

    • See 1 previous
    • Toby Click Toby Click on Sep 06, 2018

      I live in an older house and I have both cellar spiders and brown recluse. They actually look quite different. Without a close up of the top of this spider showing the notorious "fiddle" on its back, I can tell you the cellar spider is all gray in color with nearly translucent legs, where the recluse is brown with dark legs...like the spider in the photo. Either way, it appears to be dead, but where there is one, there are many. Better safe than sorry!

  • Patti Nicholas Patti Nicholas on Sep 05, 2018

    A lighted newel post. Often used in old theaters, the red panels kept the light low and yet provided a bit of security at the top/bottom of steps or ramps. And I though the picture isn’t clear when you blow it up really big, I think that spider is just a daddy long legger

  • Baroness RH Baroness RH on Sep 05, 2018

    It was [originally] a ''plant stand''.


  • Pam Walker Pam Walker on Sep 05, 2018

    Don't know what this would be. Try Googling it & see.

  • Elise Elise on Sep 05, 2018

    It is a daddy long leg & we used to play with them. I agree a newel from a theatre.

  • Lisa Lisa on Sep 06, 2018

    It sure looks like you got your share of answers already! For whatever it's worth, while I agree in principal that it is a newel post, I still can't figure out the use of the knob on what looks like a metal TP roll. I can't get over this picture in my mind of someone using this in an outhouse...... I think I need a nap! lol

  • 17335038 17335038 on Sep 21, 2018

    The lightbulb screwed in is fluorescent, not halogen or LED.

  • Pat Pat on Sep 25, 2018

    It would be a station of an officer in a lodge or something. They are frequently lit up.


  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jun 30, 2021

    do you see any detaisl .. markings ?

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 02, 2021

    Hello, definitely a lectern, the panel in front is purple, used by many churches, it's a compact florescent bulb inside, as someone has altered it to light up.