MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Gloria]

Something to do with the grim reaper?

[Stanley]

Sorry but no. Quite the opposite actually. (That's far too good a clue!)

[Gloria]

I’m stumped.

[Big Kev]

It looks quite small, is it for picking your teeth?
It looks like a fancy one of these

Screenshot_20211020-093031_eBay.jpg

[Stanley]

Well done Kev. Yes, it is a very ornate tooth pick.
Next one for shaving?

[Stanley]

What are they?

[Gloria]

Old footballs or cricket balls?

[Tizer]

I know what they are but I'll let others have a go. They're not worth much these days.

[Stanley]

I know why you said that Gloria. When I first saw them I thought they were baseballs. Don't hang about too long Peter. Enlighten the masses so we can have another.....

[Wendyf]

Are they some sort of sea urchin shell?

[Stanley]

I don't know enough about them to be able to say. You are certainly very close. Perhaps Peter could judge....

[Stanley]

Nobody is helping us Wendy so I went for a furtle. See THIS article from which I learn that they are indeed a variety of urchin named 'Sea Potato'. So you have it right Wendy.
Next One?

[Wendyf]

It reminded me of the spotted ones, my mum had one in her bathroom for years.

[Stanley]

[Tizer]

It's good I didn't try to give the final answer because it might have been rejected initially. I know it as a `sand dollar', hence the attempt to give a clue: They're not worth much these days. That seems to be the name for the same species (Echinocardium cordatum) in America. They're also known as heart urchins: echino = spiny; cardium and cordatum = heart.

[Stanley]

Main thing is it's an urchin and Her Majesty got it.....



Right, what is it?

[Tizer]

Head off a walking stick?

[Stanley]

Sorry, no Peter.....

[Gloria]

Is it a tribal carving?

[Stanley]

Not really Gloria, it's old and ornate but has a definite purpose.

[Wendyf]

Was it a wine bottle stopper that you could pour from? The carvings look like vines and grapes.

[Stanley]

Sorry no Wendy, You're on the right track in that it's a small personal item that you would have carried if you thought a need would arise.

[Gloria]

Does it go in a pipe to stop tobacco falling out when not in use?

[Stanley]

No Gloria.you're on the right track with size and portability but not what it is and why it was necessary. Clue, very few people would need it these days.

[Wendyf]

A gun powder flask?