<p>It looks very much like a potpourri holder. It is certainly a lovely little piece. I would recommend that you look after it carefully, and make sure that it comes to no harm. The ceramicist appears to be Edith Rimington, of Flintshire, Wales, although I have not been able to find out anything about her on the Internet. This is a piece that may appreciate in value, but I would definitely keep it for its simple charm.</p>

<p>I think that we should avoid confusing Edith Rimington with the English surrealist artist, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Rimmington" rel="noreferrer">Edith Rimmington</a> (1902 – 1986). I doubt if they are the same person.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-02T20:54:22.650Z
Thank you. Tomorrow I try to call the shop and if I find any more information I post it here :)
Amir Asghari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-03T16:36:19.440Z
This makes sense. You are clearly supposed to put something it it but a candle does not make sense given the "plug" at the bottom.
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-02T16:30:48.740Z
2017-04-02T17:25:15.647Z
2017-04-02T17:25:15.647Z
Mick
<p>To me those holes look like something you would see in an incense holder. I used to have one made of terra cotta that looked like an adobe house, that I purchased on my very first trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.</p>
<p>I did a quick google search to see if I could find a picture of one like the one that I used to have, and instead I stumbled across the Incense Burner Virtual Museum website (<a href="http://www.kandaki.com/BP-Index.php?st=c&amp;shp=Building" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.kandaki.com/BP-Index.php?st=c&amp;shp=Building</a>).  The one I used to have was similar to the fifth one down on the linked page.</p>
<p>But, looking at the other items on the page, there were two that specifically reminded me of your item:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/s1Y9U.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/s1Y9U.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>and this one:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/0SHiV.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/0SHiV.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>The Incense Burner Virtual Museum site describes the usages for each one--the top one is designed for use with a scented pastille, and the bottom one is supposed to be used with perfumed oil.</p>
<p>With that information, my next search took me to this Pinterest page called &quot;Pastille Burners,&quot; which states that these items were &quot;quite popular in aristocratic homes during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.&quot;  Make sure to go take a look at the page (<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/tlight2/pastille-burners/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.pinterest.com/tlight2/pastille-burners/</a>); many of the pieces shown remind me of yours.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-07T19:43:35.917Z
2017-04-07T19:43:35.917Z
2020-06-18T08:35:49.040Z
magerber
<p>It's a salt (or pepper) shaker.  It has an opening on the bottom for filling, and the windows are the openings for shaking out the seasoning.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T15:14:09.707Z
@abbie There is only one compartment.
Amir Asghari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-07T19:45:33.620Z
I think the holes are way too large to be a salt or pepper shaker
magerber
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T13:55:55.120Z
2017-04-01T13:55:55.120Z
Buzz
<p>We have bought this beautiful piece of ceramic.  We have no idea how it is supposed to be used beyond the obvious decorative purpose. Any idea? </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/DbQ4t.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DbQ4t.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>It has an opening but we don't think it can be used as a salt (or pepper) shaker since the holes on the windows are too big and too close to the bottom. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/fPrau.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/fPrau.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T15:16:15.270Z
Can you give us a sense of scale? could a small candle fit inside? Also, what information have you obscured? is it the name of the shop/address?
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T15:23:29.050Z
A handful, something a little bigger than an adult fist. The diameter of the hole at the bottom is smaller than the tea light candles.
Amir Asghari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T15:24:19.800Z
Yes, the information was the name and address of the shop.
Amir Asghari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T15:26:52.007Z
Are you able to call the shop and ask? Often times that's the only option. Not that we don't welcome your question here! You're more than welcome to answer it yourself if you're able to figure out the answer.
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T15:34:57.720Z
I thought of that. We have bought it from one of those places that people sell their old things and I am not sure the shop is still there. I'll try to call the shop and if there is any success post the answer :)
Amir Asghari
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-01T15:42:40.547Z
@AmirAsghariAh, I see.... so it was not new. That certainly may complicate things.
Catija
<ceramics>
What is this handmade ceramic good for?
Amir Asghari
# What is this handmade ceramic good for?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-04-01)

We have bought this beautiful piece of ceramic. We have no idea how it is supposed to be used beyond the obvious decorative purpose. Any idea?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/DbQ4t.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/DbQ4t.jpg)

It has an opening but we don't think it can be used as a salt (or pepper) shaker since the holes on the windows are too big and too close to the bottom.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/fPrau.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/fPrau.jpg)

**Tags:** ceramics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Can you give us a sense of scale? could a small candle fit inside? Also, what information have you obscured? is it the name of the shop/address?  
> **username_0**: A handful, something a little bigger than an adult fist. The diameter of the hole at the bottom is smaller than the tea light candles.  
> **username_0**: Yes, the information was the name and address of the shop.  
> **username_1**: Are you able to call the shop and ask? Often times that's the only option. Not that we don't welcome your question here! You're more than welcome to answer it yourself if you're able to figure out the answer.  
> **username_0**: I thought of that. We have bought it from one of those places that people sell their old things and I am not sure the shop is still there. I'll try to call the shop and if there is any success post the answer :)  
> **username_1**: @AmirAsghariAh, I see.... so it was not new. That certainly may complicate things.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-04-02. Score: 7

It looks very much like a potpourri holder. It is certainly a lovely little piece. I would recommend that you look after it carefully, and make sure that it comes to no harm. The ceramicist appears to be Edith Rimington, of Flintshire, Wales, although I have not been able to find out anything about her on the Internet. This is a piece that may appreciate in value, but I would definitely keep it for its simple charm.

I think that we should avoid confusing Edith Rimington with the English surrealist artist, [Edith Rimmington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Rimmington) (1902 – 1986). I doubt if they are the same person.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you. Tomorrow I try to call the shop and if I find any more information I post it here :)  
> **username_3**: This makes sense. You are clearly supposed to put something it it but a candle does not make sense given the "plug" at the bottom.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-04-07. Score: 4

To me those holes look like something you would see in an incense holder. I used to have one made of terra cotta that looked like an adobe house, that I purchased on my very first trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I did a quick google search to see if I could find a picture of one like the one that I used to have, and instead I stumbled across the Incense Burner Virtual Museum website (<http://www.kandaki.com/BP-Index.php?st=c&shp=Building>). The one I used to have was similar to the fifth one down on the linked page.

But, looking at the other items on the page, there were two that specifically reminded me of your item:
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/s1Y9U.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/s1Y9U.jpg)

and this one:
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/0SHiV.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/0SHiV.jpg)

The Incense Burner Virtual Museum site describes the usages for each one--the top one is designed for use with a scented pastille, and the bottom one is supposed to be used with perfumed oil.

With that information, my next search took me to this Pinterest page called "Pastille Burners," which states that these items were "quite popular in aristocratic homes during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I." Make sure to go take a look at the page (<https://www.pinterest.com/tlight2/pastille-burners/>); many of the pieces shown remind me of yours.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-04-01. Score: 0

It's a salt (or pepper) shaker. It has an opening on the bottom for filling, and the windows are the openings for shaking out the seasoning.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: @abbie There is only one compartment.  
> **username_4**: I think the holes are way too large to be a salt or pepper shaker  

---

