This is a wonderful antique folk art sailor's fid carved of hardwood. I purchased it from a dealer specializing in antique nautical items, who I believed had just brought it in, and as I carried it to the front of the (excellent) antique co-op where I found it, one person after the next enthusiastically admired it. Fids, or marlinspikes, vary in size but are always conical and tapering in form; they were essential tools used by sailors for a variety of purposes, particularly ropework: holding open knots, untangling rigging, separating strands of rope for splicing, making grommets in canvas, etc. etc. They were usually made from wood, most commonly lignum vitae but other woods as well, and also whalebone. I've seen ivory examples with carved fists like this, but am not sure I've ever seen one of this scale carved of wood with a hand, and it's a beauty. Mid-late 19th century or so I would guess, in beautiful condition.
11 5/16" x 1 5/8" d. Excellent antique condition, no cracks, splits, or any other issues that I can see. It does appear to me to have been used, with a little rounding/squaring off of the pointy tip, all to the good.
You might also like
