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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsHey! the person who was trying to identify the brass item from their grandmother's collection-
what looked like an Art Nouveau mermaid handle for something -
did you ever find out what it is?
antiquie
(4,299 posts)Last edited Sat Aug 10, 2013, 05:55 PM - Edit history (1)
It was not an antique lure tyer.
haha: 'Fenetra Callibrater'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018447070
trof
(54,256 posts)hedgehog
(36,286 posts)olddots
(10,237 posts)jmowreader
(50,546 posts)The thing W calls a coke spoon, everyone else calls a ladle.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)on DU, I wonder if Trof is pulling our legs!
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)I remember a show called "Liars Club":
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)It is not a heavy tool - there are no scratches and it wouldn't take any twisting or bending force without cracking.
It is not a kitchen implement.
It is not a letter opener - there is no blade.
It's not a candle snuffer - wrong shape.
It is not a necessity, but it isn't very expensive - the detail is good but not great, so it's not one of a kind.
the Art Nouveau design suggests it dates from 1890 to 1910
It is complete in and of itself - there are no indications of missing pieces such as rivet holes and the ornate finish would indicate it's not part of a larger object.
It is too large and heavy to be worn as jewelry.
It is meant to be seen from both sides.
The hands aren't shaped to hold something else such as a mirror.
So all that puts it into the category of an object that sees light duty, could have been used in a middle class home, may or may not be in use today in another form.
I'm guessing it belongs on a dresser, a desk or in a sewing basket.
Unless someone comes up with a better ID, I think it's an elaborate paper weight.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)Just a guess but it seems plausible to me.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)I can see the center piece lying at the center of two pages and the outstretched arms holding two facing pages open.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)I could see it on a fancy book on a fancy pedestal...
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)With the mermaid motif, I wonder if it belonged to a ship Captain? Cool to think about.....
trof
(54,256 posts)Back in the day, rugs were hung on a clothesline and beat with an implement to whack out the dust they collected.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/154292114/victorian-style-bdsm-rug-beater-paddle?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=rug+beaters&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery
The example shown in the original post is a rather ornate (and not particularly efficient) variation.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)trof
(54,256 posts)Victorians were very much about ornate things to do mundane jobs.
The owners of the rugs weren't doing the beating.
They had 'people' to do that.
Usually the upstairs maid.
You could look it up.
I more less have determined that it is a page turner/a weight to hold pages down. This is of course, my best guess. Thanks for the interest!
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)struggle4progress
(118,268 posts)just in case they wanted to bludgeon someone quietly
hibbing
(10,095 posts)Hey,
I was wondering about that thing! They mystery remains.
Peace
Brother Buzz
(36,407 posts)That's Father Guido Sarducci's blessing of the fleet thingy. He's been known to whip up a wicked Ramos Gin Fizz with that thing after the fleet has passed.