Sunday 7 January 2018

A Quiz to start off 2018

It is some time since I did a quiz. As usual I have turned 'Comments Moderation' on. Any correct answers will be held back until I post the result so that everyone has an equal chance.
match shown only to indicate scale
This object, resembling an acorn, sits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
1. How old is it?
2. What is it made out of?
3. What is it used for? - this is the main question requiring an answer.  

46 comments:

  1. I am sure it is well over 100 years old. My guess is it's Victorian. Obviously made of wood turned on a lathe and then carved a bit on the acorn cap. I think it might be a needle case.

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  2. Hello Rosemary, It looks like a thimble case to me (or to hold similar sewing notions). It is probably 19th century, and could be made of boxwood, although vegetable ivory is also a strong possibility.
    --Jim

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  3. Hello Again, P.S., Looking again, it is perhaps a little wider than I first imagined, so I would like to add nutmeg grater as a secondary guess--those seem to be another common use for those old turned acorns; it is sometimes hard to tell until you open them up!
    --Jim

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  4. Look Victorian, some type of wood, maybe a nut of some kind, either sewing related or maybe a spice holder.

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  5. Just found my old Victorian needle case. It is made of vegetable ivory also called tagua nut or the corozo nut. Yours might be too.

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    1. It is not a tagua or a corozo nut, but you are on the right track

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  6. Hi Rosemary, pretty object. 200 years old, made of wood, holds matches.

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    1. Hello Gina - 200 years is correct, it is Georgian, but not matches. I put the match there to give the item some scale.

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  7. It is 125 yrs. old. Made of wood,used for striking a match.

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    1. You can have another go if you wish Janey.

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  8. Antique 19th century treen wood nutmeg grinder - and oh how I'd love one as I use nutmeg a lot! What a great find if it is your own. It would go over so well here Rosemary with Raleigh known as "The City of Oaks' and the acorn our symbol!
    Thanks for the fun guessing game as always. . . . . and the happiest New Year to you and your family.
    Mary x

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    1. It does belong to me Mary - you gave a perfect answer

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  9. My guess is: 500 years old, made of wood, used as a decoration on clothing.

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    1. Sorry not used as a decoration on clothing Debra.

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  10. OK if it is not a needle case then it is for a thimble

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    1. Here's some help Catherine - it has nothing to do with sewing at all.

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    2. I am pleased that you have found the answer Catherine.

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  11. It's antique, made of wood, but beyond that I've no clue.

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    1. You are right William it is an antique from the Georgian period, but it is not made of wood.

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  12. Hi again Rosemary, It is 200 years old, It is made of wood and carved into an acorn finial cap.

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    1. Hello Gina - this little object actually has a particular use and purpose.

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  13. Hello, I've just found your blog via Sarah at Down By The Sea. Is it a Georgian nutmeg grater? my sister-in-law had one.

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  14. Ah! How about a Georgian Coquilla Nut Treen- Nutmeg Grinder? :o)

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  15. A beautiful Match Striker. We have picked up a few different ones over the years on our travels. This one is a beauty.

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    1. Sorry not a match striker, but I can see where you are coming from. I put the match there to give the object some scale.

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  16. I saw something like that on Pinterest, so may be it is a carved wood nutmeg grater from Victorian times.

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    1. Well recognised Janneke - this one is actually 200 years old and is from the Georgian period.

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  17. I have no idea what it was used for, is the wood walnut? Sarah x

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    1. It is not walnut Sarah but thanks for giving it a try.

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  18. 200 years old, maybe used to keep tobacco ? If it isn't wood I wouldn't know.

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  19. Have no idea Rosemary, it's only tiny.

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  20. Is it by any chance for grinding nutmeg?

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  21. Vegetable ivory. Either for a thimble or tape measure or maybe hair?

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    1. Sorry that is not the answer, however, I do believe that what it is made out of is known as vegetable ivory in the US.

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  22. Dearest Rosemary,
    What a beautiful Georgian Coquilla Nut Acorn for Grinding Nutmeg!
    WISH that nowadays they still would produce such art work. A real treasure to hold in your hand and to admire and caress its smoothness.
    Love this kind of quiz.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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