It's an electric pot, about 800 watts and patented in 1927. It has a unique method for controlling the heat, with a plug that can be positioned left, center or right, and flipped over and used in the same 3 positions. Each position gives a different heat setting.
After replacing the rotted cable, and figuring out the plug position, I used it and found it melted lead very nicely for a 84 year old design. It seems to hold about 40 lbs and has a nice wide top, perfect for setting molds and ingots on. I might just have to start using this for my ladle casting.