Beer or Ice Cream anyone?

Well, things have started to get desperate on my end today - day five (?) of my search on the mysterious box discovered by Darryl.

I actually went on websites where they are SELLING Byzantine objects (yes, the trade is open and thriving) to see if ANYTHING matches up (for those interested, a glass icon similar to the one found on the dig is going for around $9,000.00).  Now, archaeology is all about context: context in the soil, in the layers and in the artifacts around it.  Once an item is removed from its historical context, we lose a great deal of information.  In fact, in researching incense shovels (what we originally thought the metal box was), I discovered that only a few have actually been found "in situ" (literally: in place - in the dirt, at its correct level); the vast majority have been bought through the antiquities market. 

Alas - still no luck.

And my return back to the stacks has yielded nothing either.  I keep expecting something to jump out: an image, a keyword I'm overlooking, something...  

So, to amuse myself, I am thinking of all the "other" things it could be.  A friend suggested a bed-warmer, like the ones used throughout the 19^th century.  Certainly the monks from our church had to stay warm somehow!

Any other suggestions?  Send them to Kristina.Neumann@cuw.edu.  I promise to send a case of the best Cincinnati beer or carton of our famous ice cream to whomever yields actual results!