Is this a piece of Silverware?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by HippAntiques, Mar 29, 2020.

  1. HippAntiques

    HippAntiques Well-Known Member

    We found this going through a box of stuff. We're wondering what it was, and what it was used for. My husband was thinking nut pick, but wasn't sure. It measures 4 3/4 in long. getPart-6.jpg getPart-4.jpg getPart-4.jpg getPart-5.jpg getPart-3.jpg getPart.jpg

    Anyone know? Or, it's age? Thanks!
     
    Christmasjoy and kyratango like this.
  2. gregsglass

    gregsglass Well-Known Member

    Hi,
    Looks like a butter pick. For picking up small squares of butter.
    greg
     
  3. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    I think a nut pick may be more likely than butter, but not 100%.
     
    DragonflyWink and Christmasjoy like this.
  4. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    The pattern is Lorne, 1878.
     
    DragonflyWink and Christmasjoy like this.
  5. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Since it is rather damaged, it's hard to think of it as saleable for much.
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  6. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    It looks like it says "A1" on the shaft, which would be electroplate.

    And it's a lobster-pick:

    [​IMG]
     
    Aquitaine and antidiem like this.
  7. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    You're right that it is electroplated, but your "lobster picks" have little v-shaped grooves in the pointy end that this piece does not have.
     
  8. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    kyratango, komokwa and DragonflyWink like this.
  9. HippAntiques

    HippAntiques Well-Known Member

    Thanks! You say it's damaged- is it bent?

    I looked up butter picks, like Greg mentioned, and they were all 2 pronged.

    Looks like our guess of a nut pick may have been right. Thanks for all of the info!
     
  10. SBSVC

    SBSVC Well-Known Member

    Pick for nuts.... Here's a full nutcracker set:
    nutcracker set.jpg
     
    kyratango, komokwa, Aquitaine and 2 others like this.
  11. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Shangas! I was going to say it looks like a crab pick because we use 'em for crabs, we don't have lobsters down south! ;)
     
  12. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    It's a nut pick.
    However, I have used them for crab as well.
     
    antidiem likes this.
  13. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    @antidiem I wish you hadn't mentioned crab as I sure could eat a nice crab right now ...not a chance in present circumstances though ..:bored::rolleyes:
     
    kyratango and antidiem like this.
  14. DragonflyWink

    DragonflyWink Well-Known Member

    From the 1886 Meriden Britannia catalog:

    nutpicks-lorne-1886meriden.JPG

    ~Cheryl
     
  15. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Yes - the pick part has been bent out of its normal shape - the next to last picture (the one before the one of the mark) shows a rather awkward bend near the end that was probably a result of someone trying to use it for some other purpose (like a hardware tool, instead of a nut pick.)
     
    komokwa and HippAntiques like this.
  16. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    And your's, @SBSVC, is exactly what we have always called 'lobster pickers and crackers'!!!!!
     
    antidiem and SBSVC like this.
  17. HippAntiques

    HippAntiques Well-Known Member

    I'm sure they could be used for that. But, I think they're originally nut sets. This is a nut bowl that was my husband's Grandfather's. As you can see, it's become a catch-all, for other things besides nuts. LOL But, the tools are the same as the ones in SBSVC's pic. getPart.jpg
     
    SBSVC, Aquitaine and antidiem like this.
  18. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    cool set, HippAntiques! And I've seen that wood bowl before with the holes and never knew what was supposed to go in the holes! Thanks!
     
    Aquitaine likes this.
  19. HippAntiques

    HippAntiques Well-Known Member

    Thanks! We once had nuts in it, but our cat thought they were fun to hunt. We kept finding them all over the house, because he'd sneak them out, and play with them. LOL It's always fun having a piece that's been in the family. This is on our coffee table.
     
    kyratango and antidiem like this.
  20. Joe in PA

    Joe in PA Well-Known Member

    How many nuts would a nut pick pick if a nut pick could pick nuts? :angelic:
     
    HippAntiques, Bakersgma and antidiem like this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: piece Silverware
Forum Title Date
Antique Discussion Is this possible on a piece of 9ct gold jewelry? Please help Tuesday at 4:49 PM
Antique Discussion Ever see pieces like your finds in movies or on TV? Mar 5, 2024
Antique Discussion Old tool chest/curio cabinet/piece of furniture ? Feb 6, 2024
Antique Discussion This time I have no clue about a porcelain piece. What is it? Nov 2, 2023
Antique Discussion Chinese Pieces: Brass Monkey King & Blue & White Dragon Plate Oct 20, 2023

Share This Page