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Friday, March 9, 2012

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












11 comments:

  1. Oh wow, that is so cool! And for $20 you certainly did score!

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  2. Yes I think you scored for $20. And you were worried what you would put in it? Looks like you had all the right stuff!

    Bliss

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  3. You always come up with some way to use everything! Great find.

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  4. I definitely think that you scored!! LOVE the vignette that you created!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  5. We use a tool like this to haul large garden/retaining wall block with one hand for landscape jobs. You found a neat old one, worth the money for sure! Found you at Funky Junk Int. Love your garden theme box!

    www.minnesotajunker.blogspot.com

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  6. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what you did with the block ice holder. So ingenious to use it as a handle with a wonderful old box. Your display is fabulous!
    Mary Alice

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  7. Hi Audrey. I LOVE this project of yours. All my favorites! Old crate, rusty garden tools, moss and garden stuff. Put it all together and you've got my attention. Thanks for sharing it.

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  8. What a fabulous project, Audrey. I do think you scored at $20, and I LOVE how you repurposed it as a handle! Awesome!!

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  9. Hi Audrey! Wow, that is an amazing piece and look at the vision your had to use it! It looks so nice on your box and then your fluffing looks so pretty. Thanks for popping in to see me.
    be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  10. Great post, Audrey! I love your final message...to look at things for what they can be...that's a great life lesson.
    And I do think you scored with that tool!
    As usual, the vignette you created is lovely.

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

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  11. Audrey,
    Thank you so much for making my first linky Simple & Sweet Fridays a success. I love how you repurposed a tool that picks up bricks and turned it into a beautiful centerpiece. New Follower! Hope you can stop by again on Friday.

    Love, Jody

    ReplyDelete

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