I bet the whatzit chainy thing above is a plumb bob. Seems big and heavy, and a little too artistic, but it would hang from a string, pinpointing a direct vertical line below.
Here’s one not far from you, Wombat, in Queensland. A burl, or natural wooden ET head. Gives “knock on wood” a whole new meaning. AU $25,000
The tool with the braided steel handle is an example of blacksmith art. This type of work is still being done today. To illustrate, simply search for “blacksmith art” on Google.
I don’t think that the tool is a plumb bob because the hook isn’t in line with center of the tool, so it wouldn’t hang straight. My guess is that the tool was designed to work with leather harness, to punch and to pull.
I must admit that I am skeptical of the “special powers” of the tool. I read that as so much ebay hype.
That reminds me of something my English instructor told me about the word ‘interesting’. In trying to get us to stop using the word (because she thinks it’s way over-used), she told us, “‘Interesting’ is not a word to use in college papers. ‘Interesting’ is what we call ugly babies.”
It’s been a while since she told me that but I still haven’t forgotten. I don’t think any babies are ugly, really. One of my neighbors had a baby with a huge brown birthmark covering about 20% of its face, but I still think it’s beautiful, just for being a baby.
although I really need an updated one…he’s only about 5 months there, and he’ll be 10 months in a couple of days. But isn’t he WAY cuter than that other baby?
-Might the chain-thing be some strange splicing fid? -Maybe not as a fid would have a plain, easily grasped handle instead of the hook/hanger. Peter Lake might have used a tool like this in “Winter’s Tale” for burglary or to adjust the double mutterer, perhaps forged by Cecil Wooley in Rev. Mootfowl’s workhouse apprentice shop.
When does that auction close…I fancy a new whistle..
Slan,
D.[/quote]
I don’t know if you can afford it…the whistle comes at a very high price which will consist of many a sleepless night since Seamus isn’t terribly fond of sleeping
It doesn’t have to have a purpose other than to be pretty. Perhaps it’s just a paperweight or something similar that’s basically to look at but otherwise has no purpose.
See?