Posted 10 years ago
andy1985
(1 item)
If anyone can give me any idea as to what this item is - I would appreciate it very much. I am a volunteer at an Epilepsy charity and we were donated this and we don't know what it is. It is around 18.5cm long, has a maximum thickness of 2cm (it curves down to a smaller thickness). There is an approximate 5mm depth angled gap in the centre of the item. There is alot of decorative engraving including a picture of a fish (so perhaps this has something to do with fishing?) On the reverse side is the name Eleanor Burn 1816.
It looks like it has been made of wood, but it is too heavy to be wooden (weight 72g).
I really hope someone can give me a suggestion as to what it is.
Many thanks.
What is your location?
It helps to know what region something comes from when trying to identify.
Hello, thanks for taking the time to reply.
I (and the charity) are from Hartlepool, a town in the North East of England
Kinds regards
It appears to be made out of wood given it's size & weight it is most likely a tropical hardwood from one of the British Colonies, such as India, British Guiana, Ceylon or Australia. Your location next to the coast & a port could make this a source of the wood.
Another thought is that a sailor carved it (common practice) to commemorate the birth of his daughter.
Sailors, spending many long and lonely hours at sea, used the time to carve in wood, bone & ivory.
Possibly someone here can point you in the right direction.
http://www.britishwoodcarversassociation.co.uk/
Many thanks for your informative reply, greatly appreciated.
You're welcome & I hope it helps bring in a few extra dollars for your cause.