What-is-it question XL

Post by **Granmaa** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:33 am

Here is a sweet little object of which I am the proud owner; it is 13cm long, hallmarked for London 1794 and possibly made by Charles Watts, though any conformation of this would be gratefully received.

What's it called and what's it for?

Miles

.

Post by **dognose** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:03 am

Hi Miles,
When I first saw this item I thought it was a tounge depresser, but I get the feeling something is missing, I could understand one hole for hanging but cannot see the reason for the others, is it the same thickness along its length?,
It certainly is a nice interesting piece,
Regards Trev.
.

Post by **Granmaa** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:22 am

You're right Trev, it's a tongue depressor. I really thought this one would prove difficult!

It's about twice as thick at the end with the holes. I'm not quite sure of their use; perhaps to act as grip in case it starts sliding down the patients throat!
What do you think about the maker?

Miles
.

Hose_dk · Post by **Hose_dk** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 2:53 pm

Do you not think that the holes are for holding a handle - I could imagine that a white bone handle could be fastened.
Just a guess.
.

Post by **dognose** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:01 pm

Hi Miles,
Yes, I think it has to be Charles Watts, I did wonder about about Charles Wright but Grimwade has him retiring in 1790, Fallon has him resigning from the Goldsmiths Company in the same year,
Regards Trev.
.

Post by **admin** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:27 pm

There was a tendency at the time to decorate even the most utilitarian items. If it just had two holes, I would agree that it could have had ivory, bone or hardwood plates rivet fastened as a handle, but the quatrefoil in the center is purely decorative.
Regards, Tom
.

Hose_dk · Post by **Hose_dk** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:51 pm

Perhaps decorative. If we think ivory - a piece of ebony in form of a "flower" or similar could have been in the middle. That could explain the 4 holes.
.

Post by **dognose** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:28 pm

Hi,
Agree with hose dk thats just how I could imagine it,
Regards Trev.
.

Post by **admin** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:42 pm

While searching the net for old depressor designs, I pretty much got an overview of the last 200 years of their forms. Enough, both old and brand new, have piercings that lead me to believe they serve a purpose beyond the decorative.

Regards, Tom
.

Post by **Granmaa** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 2:22 pm

The positioning of the hallmarks on this one suggests that the holes are not for a handle.

Miles

.

Post by **Granmaa** » Tue May 01, 2007 9:57 am

An auctioneer has told me that the holes signify which end one is meant to hold.

Miles
.

Post by **Granmaa** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:23 am

I came across this diagram in Table Knives and Forks by Simon Moore; it suggests that the two holes could be for the handle rivets and the quatrefoil (which was cut in both scales of the handle) acts as a susppension loop.

Miles

.

frenchie_myriam · Post by **frenchie_myriam** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:08 am

Hi Miles,

Could be part of a bookmark missing its upper part to hold the page

Best Regards
Myriam
.

Post by **Granmaa** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:54 pm

Hi Myriam,

Almost certainly not. It is too heavy for a bookmark and I've never seen an 18th century bookmark before. These items are described as tongue depressors.

Miles
.

frenchie_myriam · Post by **frenchie_myriam** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:52 pm

Dear Miles,

As you did not mention the weight it was just a wild guess. Nevertheless you should contact member GERRYL. He is a bookmark collector and he should be able to help you to confirm if yes or no it could be part of a bookmark. Some of his are really large in size so the 13 cms long did not surprise me.

Best Regards. Myriam
.