The above four photographs are of this week's
MYSTERY OBJECT.
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The above little chap is made of bronze, some of which (his clothing, boots, etc.) has been gilded. He is just short of four inches high, and has (probably since the nineteenth century) stood on a four inch high, round , green marble, column. He originally served a purpose. The competition is to tell me what his purpose was, when he was made, and where. No exactness required this time.
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6 comments:
Perhaps something to light cigars, candles etc. The barrel bit on the sword helps to adjust the flame.
Ooh, I really want to stand him in front of the fire and use him as a toasting fork.
Tempted to say striker for a French chinoiserie skeleton clock of the C18th.
But of course it is in fact a C16th. Japanese bell-clock clock-jack....
or something else?
I know it's probably a clock-jack but that point looks lethally sharp. I'd want to use him as a letter spike on my desk for filing bills from Scottish Power.
Dutch is always a good guess.
Brilliant idea Z, that would explain why so much of the mercury-gilding has been rubbed orf!
For the answer, go to next blog entry on Monday, 28th October, 2013.
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