We were at a thrift store today and picked up this lovely piece of glassware today for $1.98. I believe it is an antique auto (or buggy) flower vase. I suspect that because we bought the exact same one on eBay several months ago for $30! Now we have two that match!

But the fact that we found another makes me wonder... Is this actually an auto flower vase? If not, what could it be?

This one has a rubber stopper with a glass tube sticking out of it, and on the end of that is a rubber piece. Any ideas what that could be for? Maybe someone down the line added that? The one we got from eBay doesn't have that.

Any info on this piece would be very much appreciated!

It's a hummingbird feeder. Mix 1 cup boiled water and 1/4 cup sugar, fill and hang by loop upside down by a window so you can watch.

Oh, do not add any red dye, not needed, the red color is enough.

Mark is right. The feeder hangs from the loop at a downward angle from a tree limb so the hummingbird can draw out the nectar with its' long tongue.

... or nail them to the B pillar in your Centerdoor. I guarantee it’ll make you the talk (laughingstock) of the tour...

Thanks for all the replies. I would have never guessed that the so-called auto vase we bought on eBay was actually a humming bird feeder. I should have labeled this post as OT

Still, this is a lovely piece and might become an auto flower vase anyway. It will be great during Spring. We can put some lovely flowers in it and feed hummingbirds at the same time!

If you use it for Humming bird feeder, give everything a good wash with a bleach/water mix or vinegar and rinse then and let air dry. We have Humming birds year round here in the Portland Or area so mine are up all the time. In fact I was just standing on the back porch not 2 feet from mine while the Hummer was feeding.

Jeez George, if that's what people are like on tours I don't think I ever want to go on one.

Tim,

I've attended several MTFCA national and regional tours over the last 30 years and never seen anyone treated like that. I can't speak for other clubs but all the MTFCA T people I've run into have been really good to tour with. The cars I've taken have been less than perfect and any knowledgeable T person could easily have found fault if they wanted to but I've never had any negative or snide comments from folks. Take the opportunity to join in on any of the tours that you can, I'm pretty darn sure you will be pleased.

NOT to dispute the hummingbird feeder solution, I have an answer for your question about the rubber plugs and glass tube.

Very often, a rubber plug is used to hold a glass vial, in which a stemmed bud is placed in water. The plugs keep the water IN the vase/tube and prevent water from being spilled all over the car interior due to rough spots in the road.

Even if it is a hummingbird feeder, you could still use them for bud vases with the plugs, tubes, and nice holders.

Terry