What-is-it question XL

[Granmaa]

Here is a sweet little object of which I am the proud owner; it is 13cm long, hallmarked for London 1794 and possibly made by Charles Watts, though any conformation of this would be gratefully received.

What's it called and what's it for?

Miles


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[dognose]

Hi Miles,
When I first saw this item I thought it was a tounge depresser, but I get the feeling something is missing, I could understand one hole for hanging but cannot see the reason for the others, is it the same thickness along its length?,
It certainly is a nice interesting piece,
Regards Trev.
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[Granmaa]

You're right Trev, it's a tongue depressor. I really thought this one would prove difficult!

It's about twice as thick at the end with the holes. I'm not quite sure of their use; perhaps to act as grip in case it starts sliding down the patients throat!
What do you think about the maker?

Miles
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[Hose_dk]

Do you not think that the holes are for holding a handle - I could imagine that a white bone handle could be fastened.
Just a guess.
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[dognose]

Hi Miles,
Yes, I think it has to be Charles Watts, I did wonder about about Charles Wright but Grimwade has him retiring in 1790, Fallon has him resigning from the Goldsmiths Company in the same year,
Regards Trev.
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[admin]

There was a tendency at the time to decorate even the most utilitarian items. If it just had two holes, I would agree that it could have had ivory, bone or hardwood plates rivet fastened as a handle, but the quatrefoil in the center is purely decorative.
Regards, Tom
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[Hose_dk]

Perhaps decorative. If we think ivory - a piece of ebony in form of a "flower" or similar could have been in the middle. That could explain the 4 holes.
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[dognose]

Hi,
Agree with hose dk thats just how I could imagine it,
Regards Trev.
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[admin]

While searching the net for old depressor designs, I pretty much got an overview of the last 200 years of their forms. Enough, both old and brand new, have piercings that lead me to believe they serve a purpose beyond the decorative.


Regards, Tom
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[Granmaa]

The positioning of the hallmarks on this one suggests that the holes are not for a handle.

Miles


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[Granmaa]

An auctioneer has told me that the holes signify which end one is meant to hold.

Miles
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[Granmaa]

I came across this diagram in Table Knives and Forks by Simon Moore; it suggests that the two holes could be for the handle rivets and the quatrefoil (which was cut in both scales of the handle) acts as a susppension loop.

Miles


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[frenchie_myriam]

Hi Miles,

Could be part of a bookmark missing its upper part to hold the page

Best Regards
Myriam
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[Granmaa]

Hi Myriam,

Almost certainly not. It is too heavy for a bookmark and I've never seen an 18th century bookmark before. These items are described as tongue depressors.

Miles
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[frenchie_myriam]

Dear Miles,

As you did not mention the weight it was just a wild guess. Nevertheless you should contact member GERRYL. He is a bookmark collector and he should be able to help you to confirm if yes or no it could be part of a bookmark. Some of his are really large in size so the 13 cms long did not surprise me.

Best Regards. Myriam
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