Possibly a combuster can from an early jet engine. There would be several of these arranged in a circle around the center shaft, between the compressor and the turbine. For example, see the cutaway at
http://www.californiasciencecenter.o...J47/GE_J47.php , there is one can at the top and another at the bottom, with the "fire" inside. The lamp cord is probably a later modification.