What is it?

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(the front)


 (the back)

I just picked this up at an estate sale last weekend.  Even though I wasn't sure what it was I knew it would come home with me.  Fortunately there was a fellow treasure hunter there who knew exactly what it was.  I'm wondering if any of you happen to know?  Here are a few more photos...





I'm always in awe when I meet someone who knows how to determine age, provenance, history, utility, etc. which is why I think treasure hunting is so compelling.  It's like living history!
Now go ahead and guess away... I promise to reveal what this mystery object actually is.

Comments

La Dolfina said…
No......
You would think so....
It's not obvious, you really need to think outside the box on this one :)
June 10, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Anonymous said…
That's what I thought too...

Is it a scriber? A page cutter? For turning collars?
June 10, 2010 at 10:28 AM
La Dolfina said…
Ooooooh Tricia Rose you are close!!!
June 10, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Tuuli - Lumo Lifestyle said…
We used to have a hugely popular comedy tv show here in Finland "The liars' club" on 80's where a "board of experts" were guessing what some unidentified items were. My actress mother in law was starring in it.

This posting is like a new generation take on it...
June 10, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Hamptontoes said…
Hmm...I was thinking letter opener, shoe horn or knife?
June 10, 2010 at 11:50 AM
sharon santoni at my french country home said…
Hi Therese,

This is fun, I love guessing games. OK, you said think outside the box .... how about a tool specially carved from a walrus's tooth for turning the fingers of gloves inside out? or for smoothing a pleated or lace collar?

Will you tell us tomorrow?

Sharon
June 10, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Theresa Cheek said…
reminds me of a bone folder...I own one, it just doesn't have the indentation......I give up!!
June 10, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Unknown said…
I think it's a bone folder...to use with stationery. Smoothing out the folds.
June 10, 2010 at 1:05 PM
A Perfect Gray said…
my guess is something to do with sewing...
June 10, 2010 at 1:08 PM
Between You and Me said…
I was going to say a letter opener, but you've already said "no."

Thanks for stopping by and following my blog....gave me a chance to pop over and "meet" you....now a happy follower!
June 10, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Kathysue said…
I think it is a bone scriber, but someone already guessed that, so could it be a stay(sp?) for a corsett? Hmmmm?????
June 10, 2010 at 3:27 PM
Kerry said…
I of course have absolutely no idea, but gee it's beautiful and I bet it's really tactile.
June 10, 2010 at 3:57 PM
A Gift Wrapped Life said…
A folding bone.........for pleated tissue and folding crisp paper. Probably not.....but thought I would try. XO
June 10, 2010 at 4:21 PM
ceecee said…
I will say it's a bone fold. Strangely, I just returned from buying one at the craft store. It seems like you and I have some weird connections sometimes.
Catherine
June 10, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Beach House Living said…
First response a paper folding bone.
Second a turning tool for gloves

Third it's a boning knife used to repair boats!
June 10, 2010 at 5:58 PM
Jodie (everything vintage) said…
Hey there!!!!
First, I want to thank you for finding me, visiting me, leaving me a sweet comment and following me!!!!!
You led me back here and I just LOVE your blog. Your home is absolutely beautiful and so deserving of being in the magazine. Awesome!
Well, my guess is a bone folder. Being that it is real bone (which gave it the name in the first place) and carved with a straight edge and handle...I would think it was used for folding papers. Love it :)
It was so nice meeting you and I really enjoyed visiting. I'm on vacation until Sunday and it was a real surprise to read your wonderful comment...Thank you! :)
June 10, 2010 at 7:57 PM
lisaroy said…
my guess would be a bone folder for folding paper. isn't it great to find vintage items and learn of what they actually are after the fact? what fun!
June 10, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Beth said…
My guess would also be a bone folder could it be a victorian shoe horn?

You always find such interesting things!

xoxo Beth
June 11, 2010 at 6:00 AM
La Dolfina said…
Sharon... you are the closest!!!!!!!
A special tool carved from a walrus tooth is correct! How did you know?
It is a page turner :)
I'm impressed!!!!
xo
June 11, 2010 at 9:23 AM
Cashon&Co said…
oh, I know what it is ! it's an ivory page turner!!!
woo-hoo!! do I win it?

okay, the gig's up. I read the reveal before I read this one. *darn.
But maybe for 4 seconds I had you fooled. LOL ;)
June 14, 2010 at 12:18 PM
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