November 09, 2007


Show and Tell Friday
What Is It?!!
One of the reasons I love blogging so much is because of all the things you can learn from others. Well, I need your help! I know it is show and tell but I'm doing this a little differently~ I'm showing and I'm hoping that you will do the telling! LOL This particular item has been in my family for as long as I can remember and I know it must be an antique. It measures about 18 inches long and 2 inches wide. It is very lightweight. It has been intricately carved with various designs, the only one I am able to recognize appears to be a pheasant. I would love to know what it is and would be so appreciative it somebody could help me with the answer!

Full view

There is one tiny hole at the top, one teardrop shaped cutout below and then three small holes under the teardrop shaped cutout.

Bottom
Thank you in advance ~ I am eagerly awaiting your guesses! Please visit Kelli for more show and tell.

21 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Golly, I hope someone can tell you!! The carving is outstanding! [not to mention the beautifully crocheted scarf/doily!!!]

My show n tell is autumn decor this week, won't you join me?

Anonymous said...

It really is a beautiful piece but I have now idea what it might be. I'll have to check back later and see if anyone might know...

Mindy said...

Greeting my friend!! Been catching up on your entries....lovely as always! Hope your enjoying your evening!! BLessings and lotsa hugs...

Anonymous said...

i can tell you exactly what that is...it's a spanking stick!! }:(

Mommy said...

I wondered if it was a spanking stick too? That's my guess, but it is a lovely piece of art at the same time. Thanks for sharing. :)

Karen said...

It's very pretty, but I don't have a clue!

Quinne said...

Hi Susan :) That is very unique! I don't know what it's function might be, but what a pretty decoration. Blessings, Q

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

It's too pretty to spank with! LOL! I hope it turns out to be something more exotic! LOL!

Katherine

ChrisJ said...

My guess is that it is a carpet beater -- used before they had vacuums. The owner would hang the carpet out over a line and then beat the dust out of it. The hole at the top would of course be to hang it up.
Does that sound likely?

Dawn said...

I thought it looked like a spanking tool....but I am thinking that it may be some sort of carpet beater.

Anonymous said...

could it be a shoehorn?



Amy Jo

Susan said...

No idea here!
Susan

Anonymous said...

It looks like an incense burner. You put the end of the stick in one end of the hole and it arches over the wood and the ashes drop off onto the wood.

Mimi said...

I think it might be a paddle... in those days they kept a paddle hanging and when the little kiddies needed a spanking... they had to get the paddle....

now my mom always used a tiny switch off of the peach tree we had in the yard...

if I am not right I hope someone else may know... I will check back to see if someone else had a better answer.......

Anonymous said...

Hello... It looks like a letter opener to me. It would look beautiful on your pretty desk!

Anonymous said...

I believe it is a lefse turner?

Anonymous said...

well, i don't know what exactly it is, but i can speak from experience what it was used for, and that was a spanking stick!

Anonymous said...

Hello Just started reading your blog. I believe it is a distaff. I am a handspinner and I am almost certain it goes on the front of the wheel and the flax is wrapped around it. It is called dressing the distaff. The function is to hold the unspun fiber while the spinner drafts out the flax and spins it into yarn.

Susan P. said...

Ladies, thank you so much for all of your wonderful suggestions! I had so much fun reading through each one and I appreciate the time you took to help me. There were so many interesting ideas that I will research each one. I guess in the long run all that really matters is that it is a beloved antique that has been passed down in my family and I was very blessed to be the next one to receive it:o) Many thanks, Susan P.

SweetAnnee said...

At first I thought it had something to do with
cribbage,..then possibly for incense..but did they HAVE that way back when..???
ttteeehhhheee


a spanking stick?? I love that..maybe the lil hole is for string to hang it up..

Deena

nancy said...

I think your artifact is too lightweight to fit any of the guesses except the distaff. If you don't find out what it is through this query, Country Magazine has a section just like this every month. You might be able to submit it there. They have such a huge readership, they always identify these obscure items.