Small silver-capped ivory peg, what is it?

What was this used for? - PHOTO REQUIRED
Sebastian
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:42 am
Location: England

Small silver-capped ivory peg, what is it?

Postby Sebastian » Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:23 am

This peg is about 7 cm long and made from ivory or bone. It is capped with silver, which is marked with the Netherlands quality mark for 1814-1905. Its style is mid-19th century.
If you have an idea what it was used for, please let me know.
Image
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R ingo
contributor
Posts: 567
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:54 pm
Location: Germany

Postby R ingo » Sat Jun 19, 2010 3:47 am

Hello Sebastian,
I think it could be a pipe cleaner.
Look here, some pieces from northern Germany, end of the 18th century, made by seamen and whale hunters:
http://www.museen-sh.de/ml/digi_einzBil ... nsuche&r=1

The fifth piece from the right on the foto looks very similar.
They are only made from walrus ivory without silver.

Kind regards,
Ringo
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Sebastian
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:42 am
Location: England

Postby Sebastian » Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:46 am

Hello Ringo,
Thanks for that information. I've looked up pipe cleaners in a book on Dutch silver (Dutch Small Silver 1650-1880, by BWG Wttewaall, ISBN 90 6825 299 2) and he shows on p.258 a practically identical piece, capped with silver. Apparently the silver end was used to tamp down the tobacco.
Best regards
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