Topic: Victorian Rolling Pin, possibly Uranium? Date and Maker?

[David E]

I recently acquired a rolling pin, apparently Victorian. The photos don't do it justice because of the size and weight: 17¼" (44cm) long, and 2¼" (5.7cm) diameter, weighing a stonking 1.87 lbs (850gm).

One end has been snapped off the pontil rod, and the other has a point where it was drawn from the gob, I assume.

There is a fair reaction to UV, so a possible uranium content. But does anyone have an idea of a possible maker and date of manufacture?

[Frank]

Possibly Chance & Co, Birmingham.

[David E]

Ah, it wasn't supposed to be a trick question! 

But do you have any evidence for this?

[Frank]

Circumstantial as far as this one is concerned, but they did make them. The article in question dates to 1910 and will be published later tomorrow in the Glass-Study with other information about Chance too.

[David E]

Great, I really look forward to seeing that! :clap:

[Frank]

I carried on and finished it off and, published it just now, article: Nailsea Glass

[David E]

Fantastic article - I can see the similarities to the Nailsea rolling pins. But I still think that Chance, being primarily an industrial glass producer, would not have produced such items at this time. I might be wrong of course as the date of this pin could be much earlier than I give credence to and the historical links to Nailsea cannot be ignored. Who knows exactly what Chance were producing from 1824?

I note from the article that the bottom pin in the photograph is about the same size but I suppose similarities are obvious with such little variation for these items - the knops being the most evident. I find the history behind the use of the rolling pin interesting as well - not just for making pastry, it would appear!

Back to the article: the large collection of Nailsea flasks is eye-opening. Not often that these are seen in such numbers!

Thanks again Frank.

See: Glass Study for more details. For anyone interested in glass, I strongly urge them to sign up!

[Frank]

From the way it was said "were brought from Birmingham by Chance’s men and sold in Somerset" I got the impression that they might be friggers. Was the data on finances etc. useful? Presumably that data is verifiable today. At least the indenture. It was interesting though that one of the pins appears to be painted!

[David E]

It certainly is an interesting hypothesis, although does seem a little unusual. Much of the movement of workforce (and equipment) was from Somerset to Birmingham when Nailsea closed, although some Chance workers did go to Nailsea to supervise the closure, of course.

The one I have is particularly well made, but entirely plain and does appear to have been used (several tiny scratches and marks along the length), and while hollow does not have an open end.

BTW: Can anyone explain why flour was put into the hollow pin?

[Frank]

To keep it dry perhaps.