I doubt there's any need to suggest chevrotain - a roe fawn would be about this size. Why anyone would want to manufacture and fix a shoe to it, I don't know, but it could be a project to demonstrate the skills of an apprentice. I have seen a carving knife and fork with similar handles. Is there any suggestion that something fitted inside the metal end?
Tony
 
Dr A.G.Irwin
Senior Curator of Natural History
Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service
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From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dornan, Russell
Sent: 16 April 2012 10:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: ID help needed: artiodactyl, possible Chevrotain?

Good morning,

 

A volunteer brought this object in today (images attached) and wondered what it was. Her friend (in her 70s) says her parents had it (possibly from their parents), so it’s going back a while. There’s no other information (it was found amongst a box of things in the attic).

 

I have said that it’s an even-toed ungulate and probably a deer-like animal. Having looked into it briefly it seems something like a Chevrotain is a good match but my knowledge of mini deer is pretty poor.

 

Does anyone have a more definite idea of what species or group this is from? Any information on what it was used for is greatly appreciated also. We’ve bandied about letter-opener handle and other such grim ideas. The ribbed metal end doesn’t look threaded (someone suggested it has been unscrewed from something else but I’m sceptical). The toes have been fitted with a tiny shoe in the same way as a horseshoe. Maybe it was for luck (I may be clutching at straws).

 

Please help me, NatSCA; you’re my only hope.

 

Best Regards,

 

Russell

 

Russell Dornan
Biology Curatorial Trainee
http://biologycuratorialtrainee.wordpress.com/
Heritage Lottery Fund, Skills for the Future Programme
Supported by Herefordshire Council, Natural Sciences Collections Association,
Renaissance and The Natural History Museum
Hereford & Ludlow Museums
www.herefordshire.gov.uk/museums
www.shropshire.gov.uk/museums.nsf
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