Postby suerisk » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:06 pm
Though I have seen these long, saw-pierced hollow log-shaped baskets in all my friends homes in the sixties, I have never purchased one before. As kids we thought they were grandma-type boring things.
I am quite fascinated to find (along with interesting historic images from substance) a hallmark on the base of one of the baskets leg ends. It its probably Hebrew and looks like an uneven (hand-written from right to left):
yod, yod, vav, shin, and then a mem or ayin, then beth or a wider -shaped vav. Failing that wider vav or beth, a rubbed-out tau. (?) It sort of looks lke the H flag from American silver.
Do you know of Jewish Silversmiths' markers? Anyone? I have a feeling this piece was made with a sense of humour. What it is good for- I don't know- a row of poker chips? They used to be made with a blue glass liner, also round like a long barrel.
This is exciting, but it might be a marker used from a natural flaw, for the impact to minerals freaks!
Sue
