I bought this little piece at an auction on eBay UK, and thought it was the most interesting little implement.
It’s about six inches long and has a French Ivory handle. The metal edge is round on one side 
There’s a small “hook” on one edge of the implement and the other’s square.
Naturally, I’ve obscured the name of the piece, so you will have to guess what it is.
Any ideas?
A boothook???
ReplyDeleteIt is used in book binding. the flat edge allows the bookbinder to flatten the folded paper signatures for a crisp edge and the "hook" is actually a sharp edge to allow the pages once bound by hand --allows the pages to be cut into a deckle edge. Thats my story and I'm stickin to it.
ReplyDeleteNo idea but the book binding thing sounds feasible. Do tell.
ReplyDeleteDi
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This is going to drive me nuts!
ReplyDeleteMy first guess was a marrow scoop but I don't think that is right. I may be back if I have some sort of Eureka moment.
I want to say cheese scoop--but it's not a scoop. I'll go with the bookbinder idea. Please send a second post to let us know. Have a super day. Mary
ReplyDeleteSomething used by a servant from "Downton Abbey"?
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that it has something to do with garment fastening.
ReplyDeleteMarrow and cheese scoops are much deeper in their bowls so I'm going with the bookbinder theory! More important, now I want to get on the UK eBay site to find some cool stuff, too...Collecting is so fun (and dangerous)
ReplyDeleteA cuticle care tool. Often referred to as a cuticle pusher.
ReplyDeleteI'll guess an orange peeler.
ReplyDeleteYou better tell soon! I was thinking cheese but it's not a scoop...Tell, tell, tell....
ReplyDeleteA zester!
ReplyDeleteMy first guess was a manicure tool, but after seeing the remark about an orange peeler, I have another guess. A tool to remove seeds from grapes, cherries, olives, etc... The pick side is used to slice the skin of the fruit and the rounded part used to flick out the seed. Can't wait to see the answer.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was a seam ripper - but the book binding story sounds good, too.
ReplyDeleteCathy
I have no clue, I too like the book binding idea.
ReplyDeleteHope you ate having abreast new year.
Elizabeth
Are we being misled by what could be damage-- is that sharp corner intentional? An ivory handle would appeal to a feminine hand-- ivory would not be found in the kitchen -I suspect it was used in a pass time such paper folding / paper cutting and the intricate patterns once created by turn of the century Victorian circles. Or on the flattening issue perhaps --ironing fine handkerchiefs it apparently was used to crease some sort of fiber.
ReplyDeleteFiber what about clay-- I do believe it was used by a sculpture artist. the flat surface was necessary for smoothing and the corner point used to add texture to the piece
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a cuticle tool I had in the manicure set I got when I was twelve!
ReplyDeletecheese scoop
ReplyDeleteIt's an orange peeler
ReplyDeleteI'm going with an orange peeler, too. I have a similar tool with a very decorative handle. That's my best guess. It is used to peel citrus.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, makes perfect sense. I want one!
ReplyDeleteDi
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It could be a grapefruit spoon. I disagree with the above comment saying ivory was not used as kitchen utensil. I am half french and I inherited some ivory handled knives/forks (round ended knives) that were used to peel/cut/eat fruit for dessert.
ReplyDeleteAm curious as to what this is!