And this is ...

fernando · 16th November 2016, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

You could certainly use this item as a nutcracker ...

A suggestive guess, assuming the nuts are premium size

.
This is a sturdy thing altogether. The 'machine' weighs 10,2 Kg and the bench 11,3 Kg. with a height of 84 cms (bench only).

Shakethetrees · 16th November 2016, 02:43 PM

It's a setup used to make gold leaf.

Small pieces of pure gold are interleaved with chamois or some other leather and stacked up. This stack is hammered until the gold is so thin it becomes somewhat translucent, and thin enough to float in the air in a gentle breeze.

fernando · 16th November 2016, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shakethetrees

It's a setup used to make gold leaf.

Small pieces of pure gold are interleaved with chamois or some other leather and stacked up. This stack is hammered until the gold is so thin it becomes somewhat translucent, and thin enough to float in the air in a gentle breeze.

I bow to your knowledge. This is what the seller told me when i fell in love with this apparatus... and acquired it. The romantic text goes well with it. I still don't know if there is a an actual name for this tool ... in either language. The seller is a carpenter by profession; i will ask him if he can identify the wood. Its age is not modern at all: 19th century ... if not prior.

Shakethetrees · 18th November 2016, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

I bow to your knowledge. This is what the seller told me when i fell in love with this apparatus... and acquired it. The romantic text goes well with it. I still don't know if there is a an actual name for this tool ... in either language. The seller is a carpenter by profession; i will ask him if he can identify the wood. Its age is not modern at all: 19th century ... if not prior.

I thank you, Fernando.

Your "gizmo" is similar to a spring hammer used in silversmithing to stretch and thin silver sheet. When you're faced with hours of hammering to achieve a mundane but necessary task, the spring allows you to develop a rhythm and concentrate on nuancing the blows rather than wearing yourself out.

A nice find!

fernando · 18th November 2016, 12:04 PM

Thank you for further commenting on this type of 'geringonças'. The seller also had a device for stretching gold wire, but it was incomplete and not so appealing as this one. His atempt on the wood used would be oak or cork oak.
I am trying to know further details trough the local owner of a gold museu; things like how the gold beating operation is called over here, the name of the machine, possible age and so; so far no resuilt.

16th November 2016, 02:43 PM	#2
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	It's a setup used to make gold leaf. Small pieces of pure gold are interleaved with chamois or some other leather and stacked up. This stack is hammered until the gold is so thin it becomes somewhat translucent, and thin enough to float in the air in a gentle breeze.

18th November 2016, 12:04 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you for further commenting on this type of 'geringonças'. The seller also had a device for stretching gold wire, but it was incomplete and not so appealing as this one. His atempt on the wood used would be oak or cork oak. I am trying to know further details trough the local owner of a gold museu; things like how the gold beating operation is called over here, the name of the machine, possible age and so; so far no resuilt.