It’s time for another round of What Is It? Many of these antiques and vintage items were once commonly used in the running of a household. But, they’ve been out of use for so long that many of us will have no idea what they were used for. That is, unless you really know your antiques, of course! See how many you can guess correctly.
1) This lovely item has carvings all over and a wheel that spins. Adorning the piece is a hand, a star, and a snake.
What is it?
If you thought this was a scrimshaw jagging wheel then you are correct! Sailors often carved ornate prizes for their wives from whale, seal or walrus bones. As pies were the de rigueur food of the day, a pie crimper (AKA jagging wheel) was a perfect gift. And this one certainly is a fine piece of work.
Maybe you know the next one?
2) This item looks kind of like a Harry Potter wand with a disk added at one end. It’s tapered at the other end and has no decoration at all.
What is it?
If you’ve ever spun wool then you might have guessed that the previous item is a drop spindle. Used to spin wool into yarn without a cumbersome spinning wheel, drop spindles were used in many places around the world before the advent of industrial fiber processing machines.
Think you can get this next one?
3) This metal mug has a spout like a pitcher except that the spout is off to the side. Do you know what this curious item is?
What is it?
It’s a soap scuttle used for shaving the old-fashioned way. If you didn’t know then don’t feel badly, most soap scuttles are ceramic or porcelain. This is a unique design that dates from the early 1800s.
This next one should be easy!
4) These next items are covered in spikes. There are different shapes and sizes, but all are shallow in depth. What in the world are they?
What is it?
Florists still use these on the regular, but sadly most home flower arrangers have forgotten these ever existed. They are floral frogs. They sit at the bottom of a vase and the flower stems are impaled on the spikes to keep them upright. Often they are made of zinc so as to avoid the issue of rust since they sit in the water like frogs.
What about this item?
5) This wood-handled roller has blunt spikes all over, mounted to the handle with metal.
What is it?
If you said it was a dough docker then you are correct. Frequently used today to make pizza dough, back in the old days they were used in making homemade crackers and scones.
Do you know the next one?
6) This iron instrument is in two pieces, one with a handle and the other without. Both pieces have notches like you would find on a cog.
What is it?
It’s a Geneva fabric fluter. Used in centuries past to make the yards of decorative trim required for a voluminous skirt, this tool, however primitive it looks today, saved many hours of labor for women who of the day.
