Irish Tree & Crown Crest

peterb · Post by **peterb** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 2:53 pm

It is from a tablespoon by John Pittar made in Dublin year 1781. It is a little worn but shows a tree rising out of a crown, the tree has a ?? around the center of the trunk.

Happy to get any info.

PB
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Post by **dognose** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:19 pm

Hi Peter,

Crest is that of Hamilton, not sure what that item around the tree is though.

Regards Trev.
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Post by **JLDoggett** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:59 pm

This is very odd, that symbol on the treetrunk appears to be a pit-saw. the rectangular frame holds the thin blade (the wiggling line in the center) under tention. the handles on the ends are used by the sawyers to pull the blade through the wood. One sawyer would stand atop the log (or a platform around the log) and the other would be in a pit below the log (hense the name of the tool). Each would pull the blade toward them when the other had finished his stroke. Two men could cut planks quickly this way, though the man in the pit should have been paid better than the ne on top due to the sawdust factor!
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peterb · Post by **peterb** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:53 pm

Wow, don't know what to say! I'm amazed that something that's eluded me for years could be answered so quickly and clearly.
THANKS!
Pete

ps. I have a small collection of Irish flatware, many pieces with unknown crests. If its OK, I'll add some more questions over the next few days?
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Post by **2209patrick** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:39 pm

That's fine Pete.
Just start a seperate thread for each crest.

Pat.
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kerangoumar · Post by **kerangoumar** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:09 pm

what one does not quite see is the acorns on the tree, which is described thus: "fructed and penetrated transversely by a frame saw"
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