Posted 10 years ago
GPJ911
(1 item)
Shown are two of several ivory utensils, some of which are broken or incomplete. Along with some 50 other items, they were loaned to the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History sometime before 1959, and returned to the owner, Charles L. Tutt, II, of Colorado Springs, in May of 1959. Tutt passed on in 1961, never opening the two wooden boxes containing the artifacts. Along with hundreds of other antiques, the boxes wound up in the possession of one of his sons, John W. Tutt, who had a moving company ship all of his belongings to Telluride, Colorado, in about 1972, where they were put in storage. John W. Tutt passed on in 2006 and his estate was settled in 2008, after which the boxes were opened.
The Tutt's date back to coming to America from England in the 17th Century and their history verifies that they and George Washington shared a common ancestor sometime around the mid-1700's (I have the book, but am going from memory). On all the handles of the utensils are carved the initials, "GW."
Along with the complete utensil shown is another exactly like it, which is broken. My question is, what is this utensil called and what was it used for? Not shown is that the two arms almost touch at the ends.
Maybe for passing letters to people with the plague? Guess that's pretty lame.
All that history and no authentication???? No one knows what they are for but you say the history is right??? This all seems a bit odd to me.
fhrjr2
I included the history because it was requested! I have plenty of authentication, but that is not the issue. I am simply trying to find out what it is! Sorry if that is "odd" to you!
GPJ
Hey GPJ, this may even keep me awake tonite! I think I've seen one of these before, but can't remember what it's for. Patience feeds the spider, so hang on.
Dear blunderbuss2,
Well, it certainly has kept me awake! There are 2, the other broken + 2 sections of a larger/longer item almost like a slim baton, all 3 with the GW carving.
GPJ
Hey GPJ, we have been buddies so long that you can simply call me BB2 or as some prefer, "A-Hole". Still trying to figure out what they mean!
Without a trail of authoritative verification, "GW" could be Guy Waller or what ever. Don't you watch Antiques Road Show or even Pawn Starts?
Maybe after I sleep on it I will remember where I've seen this & hopefully what it is.
Probably for clean the inside of the ears. Great piece! =)
BB2, I'll keep the other name in mind. I've been doing this since 1982. Documentation is NOT pertinent here, but only to find out what the item is! However, if you are stuck on GW, you can Google the Tutt family and it's relation to GW. Otherwise, please don't lose sleep.
GPJ
tom61375
Could be something just that obscure. It was among a hundred pieces returned to C. L. Tutt from the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History in 1959. He died in 1961 and the two boxes were never opened until now. When we find out, I'll let all of you know. I've been doing this since 1982 and I'm stumped.
GPJ
Maybe it's for getting those "things" out when the string breaks?
That's why I need to know what it is and both are unaltered.
If I had this and I didn't know what it was, I would search for antique ivory tweezers. Especially eyebrow tweezers. You see they weren't always spring steel. You will find the same in mother of pearl. They also came as a manicure tool. Think outside the box. If I can find them you can.
I discounted tweezers because they are closed at the end but then ivory does warp with age.
What a great piece I would love to know what it was used for also.
blunder....go back a few more years, all tweezers were closed ended. You spread them with your thumb and fore finger then did the deed if they gripped. If they didn't grip someone cried.
I have seen same somewhere.Yarn or paper put through slit and turned but will try and remember.
Very intricate carving
fhrjra,
Point taken. I am doubtful that these have the strength, but worth looking into. Then again, why an identical pair?
GPJ
blunderbuss2,
See my comment to fhrjra Progress, at least.
GPJ
Zowie,
A breath of fresh air. With luck, you shall. Thank you.
GPJ
blunderbiss2.
Another good clue.
GPJ
ATTWOOD,
That makes sense. Well worth following up here in Mennonite country!
GPJ
Hey, I've had a rough day & looking for sympathy! Sure not forthcoming on this thread. Excuse me while I go pout.
I have been looking but still no closer.I have a feeling it was used for ribbon work as in making intricate bows or lace making.I may be leading you up the garden path so to speak but I am stuck on this! Good luck
ATTWOOD,
That seems feasible and might explain why there are two that are identical. There are also three pieces of a "wand" with the same carving and initials (one or more pieces missing), which is longer and of a larger diameter. Too bad, as that could have shed some light.
GPJ
What is the length?
I'm agreeing on the ribbon idea as Orientals do use a lot of them in all parts of there days & parades. Just a assumption.
Personally, I believe it's a hair stick
That's another interesting idea I'm still going with the ribbons though.
Or it also could be 1 of several sticks to a fan, I do know they are a split stick, my grandmother used to make them
I haven't a clue I'm just going by what I feel & saying whoever suggest about the ribbons was a good idea that could be on the wright track. Either way it is very well made & I love it
Pastime Pro,
That is a new one! Will try to follow it up.
Best,
GPJ
Zowie,
Roger that. I'm not giving up on the ribbon.
GPJ
PastrimePro,
No, it's a stand alone piece with its own handle and no means of attachment to a fan. I still like the hair slick.
GPJ
Zowie,
You've been a big help. I think we're getting close. Mt. Vernon was at a loss.
GPJ
how about clothes pin for something dainty like won ton wraps? Ok ok, I'm reaching a bit on THAT one..sorry.
Many antique tools for lacemaking or bow making were fancy silver or carved ivory or bone.
http://fi.pinterest.com/pin/59039445088687337/#
Tatting tools?
I just posted this comment on the wrong site as I said then I'm sticking with the ribbon so far myself & I tried to post on Face Book in case someone there knew what it was but I didn't get a chance to ask sorry. Have a great day
its an antique page turner for a book. i have seen some made in Japan, I dont know about this one. Maybe Chinese. Its very nice. Pair? I could not read all of this. Perhaps for a duet at the piano. might be worth getting checked out further. maybe more valuable. or you just got lucky and got two. Sharon
Dear Shakemeredith,
Wow, that makes sense, and especially with your having seen these before. In all these years I have not, so they must be rare. They are a pair with one broken with all pieces present. They came back to C.L. Tutt II in 1959 from the L.A. Museum of Natural History with many more items. I'm hoping the curator can locate the lot numnbers and shed light on why they were on loan, as C.L. Tutt, II died two years later with the 2 boxes in storage and unopened until last year. The Tutt's and Geroge Washington shared a great grandfather, and these are engraved GW. There is another similar, but larger item with them, but also broken. Call me at 970-240-0122 and I'll email a photo of it. You can give me your real name, so I know it's you.
Thanks, Gary
Antique face screen handle, as your's is asian carved with dragon, see This one:
http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/rigid-fan-pien-mien-46098
Kyra, that appears to have inly 1 tine but probably still the answer. Maybe.
Right, Bb2! I didn't notice I posted it because of the "tine" lenght!
This one is in the spirit of what I mean too.
http://www.rubylane.com/item/135488-1114rscrns/Ex78quisite-Antique-Victorian-Era-Face-Screen
If the original one is not pierced for mounting, perhaps was it never used...
Now, I think we are wandering off of the correct path again. Maybe whoever gave this handle(?) to GW, thought he was so cool that he didn't need the fan part.
I think it is for myladies hair. I think the blades of the curler work by putting a lok thru the hair and warming the blades carefully WILL make CROQUIGNOLE curls,(look on google for demo of today's method if interested). --maybe as a touch up device when traveling and redoing a few wilted or messy curls.. Then back into the fancy case till needed again. I had my own beauty salon in Chicago but forward of the era used them-- except around face ( bridal veils) any era.
Now don't develop a harshness against me because to know best I'd have to be handling it to see if it would work..And you would have to be sure to not heat it to close and long!!!!! All I know are metal bladed ones.
MEN that wore wigs would absolutely need one==IF this is what it was. Might have been a Presidential gift from an Oriental. Just sayin'