Heres an easy whatsit for you.

[frogpatch]

It is only 2 inches deep and now that I went to the kitchen, smaller than a brown sugar box. It is the same size as a box of Ronzoni Elbow Macaroni.
Way too small for popcorn and chestnut roasters that I have seen are usually solid on the bottom. If you have ever roasted chestnuts they take a while and this would not last that long. Screen over a fire for more than a few minutes will become red hot and melt. This thing shows no sign of ever being in a fire. Maybe it was never used.
 I think it is for dropping a small caged creature on someone and the long handle is for you too be at a safe distance when they react. Like a spider, frog or mouse.

[fancypants]

O.K. , so maybe a 'collection plate' for a church with a light/swift-fingered bunch of members ?

[cogar]

I'll hafta concede that frogpatch and fancypants trumped my response.

goodern responses, both of them.

I don’t know what its intended purpose was but the “green” wooden handle is usually associated with a kitchen implement.

It might have been for sterilizing something in boiling water like baby bottle nipples & lids or even for boiling eggs.

Whatever, my gut feeling is that its got a connection to “kitchen & water”. 

[mart]

I agree Cogar but why a 2 ft. handle unless an open fire or fireplace ??

[fancypants]

Biscuit/cornbread warmer for wood stove-top use ?

[frogpatch]

Steamer basket for holding something over a pot of water? I thought this would be easy?

[cogar]

Ah, a "steamer", never thought of that, ..... but I was gettin "warm". 

That would have worked great for softening up yesterday's biscuits.

"Sliced bread" musta made that thingy obselete.

[KC]

And another
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89866492/vintage-wire-basket-popcorn-popper-w

[frogpatch]

Well it has been sitting on my porch for over a year. I was doing spring cleaning and there it was. I still do not think it is a popcorn popper despite the link where someone is selling it as that. It is too small and window screen over any flame will melt and disintegrate quickly. I was hoping maybe some new members have joined that could help of maybe some older ones have new ideas

[KC]

This one is a coffee roaster!


More popcorn!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Popcorn-Popper-Metal-Basket-W-Wooden-Handle-Primitive-Country-/251507294029

Another Soap (note they usually have shorter handles so to hand and drip)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/169995459/vintage-kitchenware-vintage-wire-soap?ref=market

[mart]

I think Cogar is right about soap saver !! I have seen others made the same just shorter handles !!  At least the person running the water wouldn`t have to bend over !!

[greenacres]

Hi everyone! I figure I would put my sense in hehehe. I think it to flimsy for a soap saver and there would be a better closing mechanism.  This thing is really open all around. I can't remember but it looks so familiar.

[frogpatch]

My wife thinks its for roasting chestnuts. They are selling on line as popcorn poppers but they are not. I think, even if it were bigger, popcorn would just burn. Any popper I had was enclosed and you put oil in it and the popcorn would steam and pop. I know if you throw a few kernels in a fire they just burn.

[cogar]

Frogpatch, you are thinking an open fireplace flame or a gas burner.

Don't forget, there was 100+ years of cast iron cooking and heating stoves that those "poppers" would work fine on.

[frogpatch]

This thing hold a pack of ramen noodles nicely with little room to spare. I could stick it in boiling water and enjoy my cheap carbs with no chemical liquid. Kind of small for popcorn don't you think?