This was in with some tools at the weekly flea market but when I asked the seller what it was he said, "For darning socks." I was curious as to why he had put it with the tools but implied criticism is never a good idea before one has inquired about the price in such a situation.
And, besides, I did not think it was for darning socks, although the encircling piece might be a good idea for holding mending in place. But it seemed the wrong shape: an egg shape is more needed for darning, more like a heel.
Awhile later I encountered an acquaintance, a fellow fibre artist, and dug this out of my bag and asked him.
He said it was for stamping (or blotting?) and the clamp would hold paper taut so one could stamp (?) or blot. The question marks are mine because, on later reflection, I could see that a soft, bendable paper like blotting paper might lend itself to being pressed around the end and contained there while one used it for blotting real ink writing. I'm not sure what he meant by "stamping".
A further thought is that I could put a piece of fabric in it and then hold it and paint something on the stretched surface. But why would I want to hold it like that. I tape fabric down flat to paint upon.
Any information? Any ideas?