Posted 7 years ago
pvauctions
(1 item)
The "tools" themselves measure about 3 1/4" long, the largest loop measures 1 1/2". These are very archaic looking, there are no markings anywhere. We thought maybe they were locksmith tools, or jewelers tools. We've held onto them for a few years just out of sheer curiosity of finding out what they really are. We found this site and hoped maybe someone would recognize them and clue us in. They are made of metal, and the designs on the tools are tribal, almost Celtic-like. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Fascinating. I don't have much info, other than the fact that their elegantly shaped points don't resemble locksmith tools / picks. The edges seem ornately shaped to create a delicate edge, like on molding or other architectural detailing...I think they were used to shape something in a decorative manner, but their small size makes me wonder...perhaps for use in pottery? cake decorating? no idea!
That's Awesome Hunter!! Thank you, it would make more sense to be used in pottery or something. They don't have sharp edges, and every one is different. That's one step further than I was before lol, thanks again!!
Are they tweezers at the top left? The one above that looks like an ear wax remover. I'd suggest leather working tools. Of Asian origin, perhaps Indian of Javanese.
Can you determine what kind of metal they are made of? If anything 'fancy' (and with that nice-ish looking long-ish chain also attached to the main ring) I'd have to wonder if they aren't "tools" at all, but an item of jewelry (large pendant) instead??
Made me think of the dentist. !! Yikes.
It looks a bit like an Asian or Persian version of a chatelaine to me. Could it be related to opium smoking?
They put me in mind of lacemaker's bobbins, except that thread is wound onto the bobbins and that wouldn't work with these tools. However, they may attach to a series of things to make them easy to tell apart in the same way. They may be on the spring ring to simply keep them together when not in use.
The tweezer-looking piece seems to have something inside it. Does that pivot out?
There is also what appears to be a finger ring which is on a chain the way people often wear a ring as a memento. The fact that the ring was hooked onto the spring ring with these tools may indicate that they all belonged to a special relative or friend and are kept together in this way.
I would agree with them being chatelaine. I have seen them made of silver in a display case with multiple implements.
Vetraio's leatherworking suggestion is interesting too. I guess they could be a piece of jewelry, but they look too specialized to me not to have a particular use...
Well with a wife who works with historical artefacts she has seen some very random items over the years in collections, and after looking at the pictures for a few minutes she was pretty sure they are a set of Victorian lady's wax carving tools. Apparently it was a popular hobby with well-to-do women of means, and these were likely specifically made for an individual. A link to a new set is below, and a link to some of the creations they made.
http://www.punkylamb.com/CT1738.aspx
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/5207355794359856/
On the left side, go down to the third one, it appears there is a silver mark or some stamp there. And I would think there are other marks as well, maybe not.
It kind of looks like a bear. There may even be more marks on that same one towards the tip of it. These are really amazing. At first I thought keys, but I wonder if it had something to do with working on a loom? They would have all the little tools needed to push pull twist under and around??? I don't know for sure. But yes, there is definitely a mark on there.
I believe they are for ceramics. I used similar tools in high school, working with wet clay. They were not on a ring, however the ring is a very good and efficient idea. Instead of stopping and reaching away from your art to find a specific tool, simply open your hand and flip it up!
Wax carving tools (as with clay sculpting tools) tend to be simple shapes with smooth edges. Complicated designs are created by the sculptor by using multiple tools in stages. These tools have too many totally irregular silhouettes with points sticking out at random spots and none of the basic shapes. Sometimes a tool might be made oddly for a specific purpose but taken as a group these would be very difficult to use. And trust me, Sunnybrook, the last thing you would want if you were sculpting would be to have all your tools hanging on a ring adding weight and dangling all over when you were trying to do precise and delicate sculpting.
That mark looks like a bear, or a cow, or a pig, or a sheep, or a flaw in the metal, or whatever you want to imagine it to be. Left picture, sixth from the top on the left side: you can see the J. A. Henckels "Twins" mark famous on cutlery. It's not, but you can see it if you are inclined.
Uncle Ron,
On closer look, I do see there is a lot of serrations, etc. on the edges. That ceramics class I mentioned was longer ago, than I'd care to mention....... ;)
It may be from Switzerland. That's where I found a bear hallmark that looks similar.
There appears to be at least two colors of metal used in individual pieces, yes? Do they stick to a magnet? The decorations are the same except that some have "positive" elements (four raised dots in a relieved background) and some are "negative" (four holes cut into the flat surface). The rings which hold them on the spring ring are all soldered closed and the ring-holes in the tools show wear from being suspended (like a key's hole wears oval after years). I'm betting at least 250 years old. Very finely crafted for their age.
These are amazing!
After reading all the comments, I first agreed with the wax carving idea. But I agree more with the comment about holding this cluster of tools while trying to do delicate, precise carving. And I can't imagine you'd take each tool off of the ring to use it, as that can be tough sometimes with this type of ring. But I believe the wedding band? being there really raises the possibility that these tools were put together as a keepsake and were not always on a key ring. So that puts me back to agreeing they are wax carving tools, and the link showing this type of tools only confirms the wax carving tools suggestion, for me at least.
Thanks for posting this cool item, as it made for great comments. I really enjoyed seeing these and all the input from everyone!
I'd guess they are worth holding onto for several more years ? ;~)
http://www.curiousantiquities.com/CARoman.html
Paste the above link into your browser and scroll down to the 6th picture. Items shown are as close in general mixture of seemingly random shapes as I have found. They are identified as "Greco-Roman Bronze Medical Instruments, AD 200-426, all are 5 inches, $140.00 each." Yours look much later but still medieval.
Wow!! So much interesting feedback!! Thank you everyone. I expected a few comments, you guys rock. So to answer some questions, no they do not stick to a magnet. The "tweezer" looking instrument does not have any moving parts, it is the strangest one for sure, it must serve some kind of purpose. As for the "stamp" mark on the 3rd one down in the left hand picture, I looked at it with a loupe and it just looks like an imperfection. I would love if these were in fact Greco-Roman medical instruments, that would be a neat thing to have. Chatelaine is also an interesting theory, almost fitting, but doesn't explain all the detail on them. I think I will hold onto these for awhile longer. Thanks again everyone, I very much look forward to more feedback on these great items.
Are they strong enough for green wood carving, might explain the bear
I wanna say Viking grooming tools but so have barbs so maybe medical as well but I swear the examples I have clear as day look like some of those...
Medical tools would not be attached like that, as stated by UncleRon about the wax carving tools... the holes that they hang from were not done afterwards, as to make the jewelry. I see no reason they would have these holes, other than to keep them on the Keyring. It is an ancient Lockpick set (IMO)
http://united-locksmith.net/blog/5-items-you-need-in-your-first-lock-pick-set
#4 Tension wrench - would be what I call the wedges... shown at the ends and one in the middle with thicker handles for added pressure and strategically placed so as to utilize another tool along with it.
Worn around the neck (dangles slipped inside a 'bra', if you will;) for easy accessibility in varying circumstances... I would say mainly for covert practices.
End transmission......
I believe it is locksmith set . Cool post and nice find
https://us.123rf.com/450wm/arcadi62/arcadi621609/arcadi62160900064/65215907-professional-set-of-master-keys-for-locks-on-an-old-wooden-surface.jpg?ver=6
Never seen one with so much appendum! Antique Asian/Chinese opium tools and grooming set/chatelaine! Puzzled too by the non opening tweezers...
https://www.etsy.com/fr/listing/532118161/chinois-antique-opium-chatelaine-en?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=antique%20opium%20chatelaine&ref=sr_gallery_4
Aceh – Sirihcloth (pouch) accessories
A very specific use in North Sumatra was the sirih pouch worn by Acehnese men. This was where the accessories needed to use the Sirih were kept
https://www.erikscollectables.com/2023/02/19/atjeh-sirihdoek-buidel-accessories/