Bruce, referring to your narrative to me these are pin cushions of a tailor without pins and needles however.
The one who has taken them away, is advised to bring them back to prevent that the tailor will be unemployed, (😁).
Very good work, Buddy!

First thought was candles. Now I see many needles in there -. When I come back tomorrow I'll possible se something else. Fascinating !!!

Oh my this is terrific! tigs=^..^=

The shape and color of these reminds me of something I saw a lot of in my younger years. The electric telegraph (in the United States) was developed by Samuel Morse in 1837, and the first message was sent by Morse in 1838. The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. As time went on, networks of ^open wire^ telegraph lines, and later, telephone lines, were developed and built throughout the country, and these lines required the installation of insulators. Insulators were necessary by serving as a medium for attaching the wires to the poles, but much more importantly, they were required to help prevent electric current loss during transmission. Old photos from around the U.S. show many telephone, telegraph and electric power poles sporting large numbers of insulators arranged on crossarms.

-nik

These also are somewhat reminiscent of upside-down mirrors: very disorienting. I find this image dynamic. Cool!