Need help identifying cage-like object.

[Heinle94]

I bought this today and I'm not sure what it is, no one seems to know what it is.
I believe that the latch is copper, I'm not sure if the rest of it is copper, iron or even cast iron. It is covered in paint or another substance so it is hard to tell what it is made from.
It has a spot in the top and bottom that it could be hung from.

[bigwull]

looks like a fish feeder....

[Rauville]

Look's like a cast-iron "string holder", to hang a ball of string over a work counter. There have been reproductions of these around for years, so one has to use caution when buying.

[talesofthesevenseas]

I believe what you have is a cast iron string holder. It was for holding a ball of twine or string, for use wrapping packages in an old general store. The string would dangle out of it, you pull off what you need and cut it, without the ball rolling away. Here are the current listings for them on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R1.TR4.TRC2.A0.Xiron+string+.TRS0&_nkw=cast+iron+string+holder&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[talesofthesevenseas]

LOL Rauville you beat me by about two seconds!

[Heinle94]

Thanks! I got it for a $1. I was with my mom and we both thought it was interesting so we got it.

[KC]

I love string holders!!!  They go from plain to crazy decorative.

I only have 3 that are unique.  One that hangs on the wall and string comes out of the mouth of a cat.  Small scissors fit in it's head.  The other two are orbs that have stands.  But the hanging ones aren't that common! 

Great buy!!