They are either tampers for tamping one's tobacco in a pipe or Gilder's Burnishers, probably Agate, used to create a mirror-like brilliance in gilded areas by gently but firmly rubbing the gold leaf after it's been applied and the medium has dried.
I think they are probably all fire pistons, and all of early 19th century manufacture. They are a very rare type of fire starting device. The idea is that when the larger end of the piston is pumped vigorously the compression heats the air enough to start a fire. All the narrow ends of the devices shown would have a small hole through to the cylinder. A piece of amadou tinder would placed near to this hole (or the small end of the piston would be placed directly on the amadou. The pumping of the broad end of the cylinder would heat the area of the small hole and ignite the amadou. I don't know how well the idea worked as I've never owned one. All the ones you illustrate appear to have been very well made and of materials that would last well. I think a good many plain wooden ones were probably made but have not survived. They may well have lighted fires, then sooner or later could well have perished in the conflagration they have caused. It is said that in 1802, Joseph Mallet, of Lyons, accidentally ignited a piece of amadou by the discharge of an airgun. I think the flint and steel idea was always more popular, and after John Walker's 'Friction Lights' were patented in 1827, most other forms of lighting candles and fires gave way to 'friction matches by the middle of the nineteenth century.
A full and fine informative answer, Mike, what a shame it is completely wrong. Pipe tampers Rog, they are not; but you are, as you well know, completely correct with gilder's burnishers and the three crooked ones are tipped with agate. I think the clear spherical tip is rock crystal. I think the timber handles are of rosewood and fruitwoods; the metal shanks are brass except for No.1. which is silver.
The fire piston is still in production in timber, silver or titanium versions but you have to gather your own amadou, a spongy, flammable substance prepared from bracket fungi. The species generally used is Fomes fomentarius (formerly Ungulina fomentaria or Polyporus fomentarius), which in English is also called "horse's hoof fungus" or "tinder fungus".
They are either tampers for tamping one's tobacco in a pipe or Gilder's Burnishers, probably Agate, used to create a mirror-like brilliance in gilded areas by gently but firmly rubbing the gold leaf after it's been applied and the medium has dried.
ReplyDeleteI think they are probably all fire pistons, and all of early 19th century manufacture. They are a very rare type of fire starting device. The idea is that when the larger end of the piston is pumped vigorously the compression heats the air enough to start a fire. All the narrow ends of the devices shown would have a small hole through to the cylinder. A piece of amadou tinder would placed near to this hole (or the small end of the piston would be placed directly on the amadou. The pumping of the broad end of the cylinder would heat the area of the small hole and ignite the amadou. I don't know how well the idea worked as I've never owned one. All the ones you illustrate appear to have been very well made and of materials that would last well. I think a good many plain wooden ones were probably made but have not survived. They may well have lighted fires, then sooner or later could well have perished in the conflagration they have caused. It is said that in 1802, Joseph Mallet, of Lyons, accidentally ignited a piece of amadou by the discharge of an airgun. I think the flint and steel idea was always more popular, and after John Walker's 'Friction Lights' were patented in 1827, most other forms of lighting candles and fires gave way to 'friction matches by the middle of the nineteenth century.
ReplyDeleteP.s. If they are not fire pistons I have no idea what the illustrated items are.
ReplyDeleteP.P.S. You will find a full account of the use of fire pistons in Chapter One of John Caspall's book 'Making Fire and Light in the Home, pre 1820'.
ReplyDeleteA full and fine informative answer, Mike, what a shame it is completely wrong. Pipe tampers Rog, they are not; but you are, as you well know, completely correct with gilder's burnishers and the three crooked ones are tipped with agate. I think the clear spherical tip is rock crystal. I think the timber handles are of rosewood and fruitwoods; the metal shanks are brass except for No.1. which is silver.
ReplyDeleteThe fire piston is still in production in timber, silver or titanium versions but you have to gather your own amadou, a spongy, flammable substance prepared from bracket fungi. The species generally used is Fomes fomentarius (formerly Ungulina fomentaria or Polyporus fomentarius), which in English is also called "horse's hoof fungus" or "tinder fungus".
ReplyDelete