Antique Dividers

Hello,

Hope all are well. I come with the question for a bit of help (if possible, I know this kind of tool can be generic).

I was offered these antique dividers at a pretty nice price being dated by the seller to the 18th/19th century. However the "closing" bit at lack of better tecnhnical wording seems different to me. Is he right?

Many thanks and kind regards

 

Welcome Rogusi- By 'the closing' do you mean the way the hinge opens & closes (ie: 18th cent hinges different than 19th cent hinges ?). Or do you mean 'closing the deal' ?

 

This one states 18th century
https://www.jimbodetools.com/products/spectacular-18th-century-ball-top-dividers-excelsior-108065

 

Hello, sorry bad explaining on my part. I meant the hinge yes, in that I saw many 18th century dividers where the hinge seemed just like 2 sides joined and less intertwined. Again, im sure my lack of knowledge complicates this explanation

 

Thanks , indeed it is. This is more the style ive seen when researching, so it might just be a stylistical difference. But i get the impression the example I posted is a bit more "industrial"

 

Looks like it had a pretty rough life.
Mikey

 

Hello there,

Just to give an update. I couldn't quite get a certain dating but saw other similar examples for sale (hinge and similar markings) dating to the 18th century (I take it cautiously).

https://www.vanleestantiques.com/product/wronght-iron-pair-dividers-early18th-century/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/374895832295

I gently cleaned it up and covered it in paraloid and like it a lot better now. There's this W markings on the inside, curious as to whether theyre likely decorative or part of the tool making process.

Cheers everyone