carved wooden stamp stick

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250chief
Posted by 250chief
16 years ago
AI Appraisal
💬 6 Comments 🗣️ Discuss with Community
Description This unusually shaped foot long 6 sided piece of wood carries repeating patterns (different ones throughout) along all 6 sides. Each side has a number of carved patterns. I believe it to be a tool used to imprint decorative patterns on cookies etc. in the kitchen. I have not seen another like it before or since. I would be interesting in finding out more about it, how old is it? Is my guess as to it's use correct? Is it associated with a particular country/ethnic group? Insurance value? that kind of thing!
Category General Antiques and Collectibles
Medium wood
Distinguishing marks None, covered in a variety of carved shapes
Condition Mint
Size and dimensions of this item 12" x 2"
Date Period unknown - guessing 1900's.
History Collected at an auction
eBay Auction Link
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Submitted by Calico Jane

It doesn't seem like this would be used to imprint cookies, as from the photo it appears to be wider at the "handle" area. That and the fact that it's six-sided would seem to make cookie printing a bit difficult. This is just a wild guess, but could this be some sort of relative to the mangle boards from Scandinavia and other areas in Europe? These were implements used to smooth bed and other linens. They were often hand carved by a man and given as a betrothal gift to his bride-to-be.

Calico, Thank you for your reply! The stick is symmetrical in dimensions, the 'wider at the handle area' is an optical illusion from the fact that, to get the detail I wanted, that side was closer to the lens is all. I hadn't heard of the Mangle Boards, but checked them out now that you have brought them to my attention. Rather interesting looking items but I don't believe we have a match here. They are wide thin and have handles. The thickness of my 'stick' would not lend itself to that usage. Further, there are decorations on all sides, including the bottom. If it was being rubbed more, I would expect to see wear patterns there and I don't. Interestingly I don't see any particular wear patterns to it at all, it looks 'new'. The one I have can be used to pattern cookies or other similar small items. The stamp is simply used over and over. The width of the print areas are about 3" so they do fit most cookie sizes. That said, I am also some what skeptical- but other than some sort of "talking stick" I simply don't see any other use as of yet.

Submitted by Calico Jane

I could certainly be wrong, but my 40+ years of baking springerle, gingerbread, and other stamped cookies still make me a bit skeptical that this is a cookie mold or stamp. The shape and motifs are very atypical, and it seems like it would be difficult to use for that purpose. The designs on the stick are intriguing. It's hard to tell from the photos, but some of them almost look like symbols, numbers, or some sort of "code". (Sort of like the Rosetta Stone!) Could it be some sort of ceremonial object--religious, or otherwise? It's just about the right size for a billy-club, but I don't think they're generally decorated. ;o) This thing fascinates me, I'll be watching along with you to see if somebody is able to identify it.

To be truthful, I too am a bit skeptical of that use. It is wide enough for it, but I would think awkward to use that way. The person who sold it to me indicated that was the use. I don't see any evidence of it being used that way at all though (or any other way). The symbols don't seem to be consistent with any religious purpose that I can see. I am personally leaning towards some sort of Carving Sampler, perhaps an advertisement of someone's carving skills? A pattern sampler? 250chief

Submitted by 250chief

Bringing this one forward again in case some new eyes might recognize it. Turns out to be a very hard piece to identify. Might be a 'one of' item - that would explain why it's so hard to find.

I am still suggesting it as a pattern piece or sampler.

Anyone else with a better idea yet?

GDM
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