What-is-it question CVI.

[2209patrick]

This sterling silver piece is 11 inches (27.94 cm.) long.
It is marked Tiffany. Not sure of the age of this piece.

What was it originally called?



Pat.
.

[dognose]

Hi Pat,

Would that be a cream skimmer?

Regards Trev.
.

[2209patrick]

Hi Trev.

Cream skimmer's are usually circular or disk shaped. However, I have read that some Scottish cream skimmers in a sickle shape did appear in the late 18th century. Have not seen one of these though.

Looking for a different name here and purpose.
This item was used on a food that was more solid than cream, but not much.

Pat.
.

[JLDoggett]

We use almost that same piece as a crumber. But it would be good for serving thick pudding or possibly iced creme.
.

[Doos]

Hi,

We just name it an ice sickle. To scrape ice from a block.
.

[2209patrick]

JLDoggett, you have the right idea with ice cream. Other present day uses are Baked Alaska, molded dessert bombes and jellied mouses.

Doos, this item was intended to be used as a slicer on a very soft food.
Scraping ice might be kind of rough on the piece.

Unless we have a Chef on the board I doubt we will get the name of the food this piece was originally meant to slice.

Best clue I can offer: food was very similar to molded gelatin (Jello in the U.S.A.)

Pat.
.

[dragonflywink]

Well, not that I recall any server like this when Mom made tomato aspic, but noting that "aspic" is missing from the list Patrick offers - guessing it's an aspic slice.

~Cheryl
.

[2209patrick]

Well done Cheryl.
Yes, this piece was originally called an Aspic slicer.
These were made in exclusive patterns generally. Don't see many around.

Tomato Aspic is slightly different from tradional Aspic. It's made with tomato juice and gelatin.
The original Aspic was sort of a clear jelly prepared from a liquid stock made by simmering the bones of beef, veal, chicken, or fish.
Aspic will congeal when cooled because of the natural gelatin in the meat bones.

Pat.
.