Rare Estate Sale Treasure.Antique hand tool made handle for Tote

I am so excited to show you the treasure I found today at  Fitch Estate Sale  
(when on this page scroll down the page for pictures)

 This house was huge and crammed with beautiful glassware, dolls and so much beautiful stuff ... but this primitive, rustic, junky, rare piece I found just captured my attention and it was affordable.

It was raining and cold with 26° wind chill factor, but that did not stop the shoppers, however, I could not help by think about the nice warm fire at home and thought I was a little crazy to be out in this miserable weather. 

According to one of the people working the sale; it is a tool/handle to attach to a huge block of ice to move it,
like in the old ice houses ... NOT !!!

I have a comment from on nice blogger that says ...
"they use a tool like this to haul large garden/retaining wall block with one hand for landscape jobs".

(Thanks for the information) 

After my son-in-law saw this he told me exactly what it is.
 It is an Antique tong or carrier used to carry or move a rack of several bricks; like to move or lift them up on the workman's scaffold. 

 You lift the wooden handle and the horseshoe looking piece clamps to the block of bricks, then you lock it down.  

It can be adjusted according to the size of the block or number of bricks.

Brick or Block Tong carriers are still being made.

Now, aren't you just thrilled to death to learn all this???

I hesitated to buy it because I did not know how I would use or display it. Just kept thinking 'handle' and yes, it makes a beautiful handle for a tote. 

So, no matter what it actually is, but what it can become is what matters right now. 

I adjusted the width and attached it to an old wooden box that I have and it is perfect. It clamps on pretty tight, so it should stay in place.
   

Just fill it with anything and enjoy.

This is what I had on hand.

The patent number dates it to 1921.  

Great  find.

Do you think I scored at $20.00? 

Other finds will be shown later. 

Hope this inspires to look at things ... 

for not what they are but what they can be. 

Blessings.

Audrey Z.

 Linking to:

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home

Rooted In Thyme Simple and Sweet

Common Ground  Vintage Inspiration Friday

  Redoux

Funky Junk Interiors SNS