Over the years, I’ve collected and accumulated lots of Christmas objects. However, some items have me curious as to why I bought them.
Take, for example, this curious little pot.
Purchased on eBay over ten years ago, it has never seen the light of day in our house. Not even at Christmas time have I been tempted to put this strange little pot on display. I’m not even sure what it is.
However, there may be a clue in the hole on the side of the lid where maybe one could place a teaspoon.
So is it a festive pot for holding jam, mustard, cranberry sauce, or Boxing Day festive chutney?
And it’s probably no wonder why I’ve never had it out on display at Christmas. I mean, look at it. It’s the stuff of nightmares. It’s something that belongs in a horror story. Feel free to write one that includes this object.
I’m positive the words ‘Christmas Antique’ in the heading of the auction were what tempted me to buy it. I don’t remember how much I paid for it, but it was no more than £20.
Was I conned at buying this supposed piece of ‘Christmas past?’ Maybe the mark on the bottom of the object answers my question? Maybe you know an antiques expert who could answer my questions?
I wonder what’s its history is and what stories it could tell me?
Have you seen an object like this before? What do you think its purpose is? Is it an antique, or was it massed produced for the market?
Thank you to Michael at Spo-Reflections for the idea for this post.
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Hugh's Views & News 
Christmas ornaments stress me out, great read though 🙂
Oh, I’m sorry to hear they stress you out. I hope the Christmas tree doesn’t have the same effect?
It’s a curious little thing – ugly but with a certain charm. Maybe you should sell it on eBay – it may have doubled its value since you bought it 🙂
I wonder, Mary? It never occurred to me to sell it on eBay again. However, I think I’ll take it to the local Blue Cross Animal Shelter charity shop and hope they can make some money out of it.
Well a lot of people have commented here, Hugh, but I’m stumped! Maybe that’s what its intended purpose all along; simply to mystify! LOL Cher xo
I like that thought a lot, Cher. Thank you.
No offense, Hugh, but this is the kind of silly stuff my hubby brings home from a yard sale that lands in the “what were you thinking box. Now that we’re moving house, when temptation strikes, I ask (myself included) do you want to pack that? Cute pot, looks like a honey jar. All my Christmas stuff is already in storage in Spokane, so thanks for sharing your decor! I’m expecting a creepy story about this piece from you in 2021 😁🎅
I totally get you, Terri. It was the words ‘Christmas Antique’ in the title of the eBay auction that got me bidding. I never expected to win the auction with the silly price I bid, but I think I now know why I won it.
I think the pot needs a creepy story about it. I’ll see what I can come up with.
It is a strange little pot. I assume, when you describe it as a pot, that the lid comes off? I would like to have seen both pieces.
Yes, the lid comes off, Norah. The pot itself is plain white inside. From all the comments, it’s defiantly a pot for holding something. And with that small hole on the side of the lid, I’m sure a teaspoon could be placed inside. Now I’m wondering if the item had its own spoon? I guess I’ll never find out and it will forever remain a mystery.
It might be a jam pot, But who wants Santa standing in their Chutney?
Laugh On
Who wants Santa standing in anything but his boots? I hate to think how cold his toes would be without his boots.
Good point. But he does spend a considerable amount of time standing in fireplaces. so it all works out
I think you’re probably right that it’s for honey or chutney or something similar. I’m sure someone would take it off your hands. Is there a local “buy nothing” group that you can advertise it in. I’ve been amazed at some of the stuff people want.
I think a trip to the charity shop is on the cards. The charity will make a little money, and I hope the new owner will have a lot of joy out of it.
Honey pot, I would say. It’s almost the same color.
Yes, but English mustard is also the same colour. Maybe both? But not at the same time.
I was asking myself why you bought it.
Since I published this post, I’ve been asking myself the same question.
Hi Hugh, your guess is better than mine. But I think your right, it’s a holder of some sort for jams, or maybe honey?
Maybe you got it as a gift for someone and then forgot you bought it? Who do you know who eats jams or honey?
No, I don’t think I ever intended giving it as a gift, Lea. However, you’ve now given me an idea. With Christmas coming up, all I need now is some wrapping paper, sellotape and gift-tag. I wonder who the lucky recipient is going to be?
Hugh, it looks like a lid of something that is missing it’s significant other… and that space for a spoon or whatever. How strange! But, you have kept it for a while… Lol.
I’m now wondering why I’ve kept it for such a long time, Marje. I think it’s had its time with me and it’s now time for it to go to the charity shop.
On to its next owner, Hugh. I wonder who will pick it up next? Lol.
And how long they will keep it?
Lol. Indeed!
Umm. Interesting. I cant guess. Chopstick holder or rester thing..
Good ideas, but I’m swinging more towards the ideas of it being a marmalade pot.
Yeah, some type of preserve or some type of decorative pot. I think it is a bit cute in its Japanese way. Even Santa looks a bit Japanese..hehe
I’m glad you like it. I must have done to have purchased it.
I think it’s rather cute, which goes to show “one man’s treasure is another man’s garbage”, right? If it weren’t an ‘antique’ at the time you bought it, surely the patina of age since you bought it adds a bit of ‘elder’ shading to it? It never bothered me that Santa came down the chimney, I didn’t spent loads of time dwelling on that, I was just happy he fit and that he brought gifts!
Right! I agree with you, Melanie. Over the last 18 years, I’ve sold lots of stuff on eBay, all of which was sold without any problem.
I always thought Santa had a magic key so that when there was no chimney, he could come through the front door. I often wondered why there was often muddy footprints and reindeer hoof-marks left on the carpet by the front door. Know we know.
my first thought was mustard judging by Santa’s face…but it’s probably marmalade 😉 Just putting up my decorations since it looks like January at the earliest for the move. Everything is taking an age!
I think a marmalade pot is a good bet.
Sorry to hear the move has been delayed, Cathy. I guess all I can say is ‘New Year, New Start, New Home.’ I guess your current home wanted one last Christmas with you.
That’s a nice way to look at it, Hugh 🙂
Its got me stumped, Hugh…I can quite see why it hasn’t taken pride of place 🙂
I’m glad you can see behind my reasoning, Carol. It’s already back in the cupboard.
Time to get it valued methinks…
Probably well after I have departed to my next adventure.
I feel honored I inspired a Hugh-post! This made my day.
Thank you for the inspiration to write this post, Michael.
Can’t say I’ve seen anything like this, Hugh. But yes, it’s a little creepy, lol.
Coming from somebody who has written horror stories, I’m glad you agree with me, Teri.
Definitely a marmalade pot, I think. And it is hideous! Were you drunk at the time of purchase?
I think I must have been, Clive. I’ve no idea what I saw in it, other than maybe I was getting an antique I could sell on and make some money. But who would buy an object like this?
An antique with a stamped marking from Japan? Hmm. Judging by some of the tat that sells on the tv antiques shows I’m sure there’s a market there somewhere…
Can I tempt you to make an offer, Clive? Now you’ve seen what’s stamped on it, it’s got to be worth £100 – yes…yes?
Sorry, Hugh, I don’t think it’s really for me. But I look forward to seeing you on a forthcoming edition of the Antiques Roadshow 😉
No worries, Clive.😉 I think the best place for this object is a charity shop. At least any funds will go to a good cause.
Oh, and I’ve already been on the Antiques Roadshow. Only in the background when filming was being done, but I spotted myself at least three times in an episode filmed at The Britsih Museum.
Good idea, as long as you can find a charity shop that will take it!
I didn’t know you were a tv star – there’s always Flog It if you’re looking to branch out…