[broadgage]

The very large cylindrical cell was probably the one commonly called a "flag cell" a popular replacement for wet Leclanche cells used for door bells, servants bell call systems and intruder alarms, a few valve radios used one for the heaters.
Sometimes used for minimal "convenience lighting" in premises lit primarily by gas or oil lamps. 4 such cells and a 5.5 volt 0.3 amp bulb was ample for safe movement in a large room and much more convenient than lighting a candle.
A bedside lamp powered thus was most useful if the main room lighting was gas. The same set of four cells could operate a lamp each side of a double bed, or a lamp beside each bed in a twin bedded room. The cells should last several years of intermittent use.