15 People Who Found Confusing Objects — and You Won’t Believe What They’re Actually For

Sometimes the most fascinating discoveries hide in the most unlikely places — even in the back of a dusty old drawer. From strange tools to puzzling little trinkets, people often stumble upon objects that leave them completely baffled. In this article, we’ve gathered a collection of unusual finds that sparked both confusion and curiosity. Each item comes with its own unique story. Think you can figure out what these mysterious objects are?

1. “What is this heavy yellow tray? Maybe rubber coated metal, about the size of my hand.”

• It’s definitely a shaving bowl thing. My dad had one. You mix the shaving cream and water in the bowl. © vigilantepro / Reddit

2. “This plastic kitchen tool looks like a slicer or juicer but there’s no cutting edge.”

• It holds things while you slice them. Eggs, tomatoes, etc. © jackrats / Reddit

3. “I found it in a thrift store.”

• It’s a picnic basket with bottle holders. © twoeightnine / Reddit

4. “Spoon + bottle opener from my grandparents’ house.”

• It’s for stirring and accessing your refreshments and cocktails. © notwhatyouknow / Reddit
  

5. “This thing has about 60 twisty screws embedded into it. It has me stumped.”

• It’s for making spun sugar. © Jamdog77 / Reddit
  

6. “This weird wooden kitchen tool.”

• It is a non-electric mixer. © Xantho083 / Reddit

7. “This mystery item was received as a gift, no packaging. The material is firm foam and has a little give. What is this thing?”

• It appears to be a neck pillow/stretcher. © Mackin-N-Cheese / Reddit

8. “What is this wooden item?”

• It’s an easel! It would have had a horizontal shelf piece that could slide up or down the long slit down the middle. © CryptographerWide247 / Reddit

9. “What is this glass object?”

• Oil candle. © Igoogledyour*** / Reddit

10. “I found this at an antique store.”

• It looks like the front of a log holder for a fireplace. © cfreezy72 / Reddit

11. “A hand-squeezed kitchen tool made of metal.”

• It’s for squeezing citrus. © brock_lee / Reddit
  

12. “I found a silver spoon in some old moving boxes.”

• It’s a server for any small fish in a sauce or oil — sardines, anchovies, etc. © ClementineCoda / Reddit
  

13. “I found this in an old house. It’s made out of metal with a hook at the bottom and what looks like a hanger on the top.”

• It’s a clockwork spit turner for a fireplace. © sawyouoverthere / Reddit

14. “My 3 Y.O. came home from an extra curricular activity with this thing. It’s rubber/silicone, the size of a fingertip. What is it?”

• Looks like an 80’s light bulb eraser without the metal bottom editing to add they never really erased anything. © stargazin4dayz / Reddit

15. “Solid metal thing found in a farming museum, it has rubber straps and chains.”

• It’s a bull/horse blinder. © DoctorOfMeat / Reddit

And here’s another fascinating collection of mysterious objects for you to explore.