Help with Identifying Large Victorian Silver Plate Mystery Object

[bookminder]

Wondering if there are any silver / Victorian tableware experts who can help me in identifying this large pieces of Victorian silver plate.    

The burner is marked Knickerbocker silver company.   I am unsure if it is the original burner as the engraving does not match the engraving on the main piece which does not have any makers marks.

It is 52cm tall.   Any thoughts would be appreciated.   

[kopenhagen5]

Any chance of a pic of whole item ?

[twyngwyn]

what is it? can you take a photo of the entire thing?

[bookminder]

Hi, I'm sorry - thought I'd added more, must have lost the link - here goes again and thank you for your help.

[bookminder]

And another...

[siddieswans]

No idea. I would be wondering if A) the components had been assembled correctly and B) whether they were originally all part of the same piece.

[bsal6160]

Looks like some sort of distilling device,heat the large bottom bowl and steam rises through the top piece. I would have thought there would have been a glass bowl like attachment at the top which could explain the strange top shape. One tap for letting the steam rise and the other to drain the top bowl?

[iclecticoz]

Thanks for your help,  I think you are spot on.  

[kopenhagen5]

I am guessing the bottom valve with the outlet is meant to have a hose and some sort of attachment.

Then with the attachment steam is used for perhaps a laundry purpose or seeing as it's ornate used with guests in a culinary way.