Found this glass mushroom thing in a velvet-lined box at an estate sale. It has a metal connector at the bottom. Looks like part of a machine?

the Clues: Shape, Glass, and That Curious Metal Connector
The shape of the glass object is suggestive of a mushroom, with a wide cap and a narrow stem, a design that is not just aesthetic but functional. The cap’s broad surface area would have been ideal for dispersing energy or light, while the narrow stem could focus that energy into a specific point.
The glass itself is borosilicate, known for its durability and resistance to thermal shock, suggesting that it was designed to withstand considerable use and possibly heat. The