Unknown Maker’s Mark
An AMS members asks, ‘I recently acquired this brass fireplace Tidy Betty from what looks to be the late 1800s. It is a very weighty object and is well made. I was wondering whether...
Antique Metalware Blog
Screw Action Nutcracker in an Openwork Case
Materials: Brass. Dimensions: length 8.6 cms, diameter 2 cms. Place of Origin: France. Date: 18th century. Maker: unknown. Present Location: Nutcracker Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania. Explanation: A thumbpiece shaped as a heart and an...
Screw Action Cage Style Nutcracker
Materials: Steel. Dimensions: length 11.5 cms. Place of Origin: France. Date: late 18th century. Maker: unknown. Present Location: Nutcracker Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania. Explanation: This finely made piece demonstrates one particular feature typical to...
Screw Action Nutcracker Combined with a Tobacco Stopper
Materials: Iron. Dimensions: length 9 cms. Place of Origin: England. Date: late 18th century/early 19th century. Maker: unknown. Present Location: Nutcracker Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania. Explanation: The tobacco stopper or a tamper became a...
15th Century Lever Nutcracker
Materials: Bronze. Dimensions: length 9 cms. Place of Origin: Germany? Date: late 15th century. Maker: unknown. Present Location: Nutcracker Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania. Explanation: Nuts, particularly almonds, played an important role in the medieval...
Screw Action Nutcracker
Materials: Brass. Dimensions: height 5 cms, diameter 2 cms. Place of Origin: England or The Netherlands. Date: late 17th century. Maker: unknown. Present Location: Nutcracker Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania. Explanation: Nutcrackers are traditionally thought...
Named and Dated Screw Action Nutcracker
Materials: Brass. Dimensions: length 7.8 cms. Place of Origin: England. Date: 1676. Maker: unknown. Present Location: Nutcracker Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania. Explanation: The screw’s thumbpiece is made in the form of an arched crown,...
Abraham (sen), Abraham, Able, Thomas and John Rudhall, Bell-founders
An obituary notice was posted in the Dorset County Chronicle on 5th March 1835 regarding the passing of Mr John Rudhall of Gloucester, bell-founder. It appears that Abraham Rudhall established the family bell-founding business...
