Andy, admittedly, I have never used one or seen one in person. (I got the idea from a version of the one I have that I thought was old.) (There was a hint!)
I do not think it is part of a bigger object, but used in a bigger object. Does that make sense?
Sattie...is it a pooper-scooper for your puppy?? HAHA....no for real though. It looks like an old ice scoop maybe. The ledge on the front use to break up the ice. The curve of the handle doesnt look very conducive to scooping though.......
it could be an ash catcher. It attaches to the bottom of the furnace so when you sift it the debri doesnt fall out the bottom and ruin your nice new white carpet