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I was sent photographs of this item by my 2nd cousin in New Zealand who I have recently been put in touch with, it had been passed to them by his Mother and it is possible that it was taken to New Zealand by Ivy Tattersall nee Lewis who was my 2nd Cousins Grandmother when she emigrated from Burnley in 1921.
It is made from wood, has an inscription on it which I can't make out, but I am told that it says it was presented to a Miss Barnes by Bartle Hills Chapel in 1871.
The bottom appears to have a picture/engraving of a lady in a crown, it could possibly be Queen Victoria. I have researched the family tree extensively and we do not have anyone called Barnes in the family.

If anyone has any idea what it is and what it was used for we would be very grateful and it will solve a long standing mystery.

How big is it Joan?

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

The bottom pic is upside down...could it be the stamp for a wax seal on envelopes in years gone by?

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

I thought possibly that, and that is why I asked the size. If it's only small I think you would be right Mel.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

It does look as it if could be a stamp of some sort doesn't it?

I wasn't told the dimensions but I have emailed my cousin to ask, unfortunately they don't have a PC at home and she reads her emails when she goes to the local library, so it may take a while for her to get back to me. I have also sent her Daughter a message on Facebook but as the schools in New Zealand have just broken up for the holidays she might not get my message straight away!

Hi,

Just another thought - it looks like a posh Butter stamp, but they are usually (though not always) carved the other way round so the imprint is raised. I can`t think of the technical term

Mo

Embossing??

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Despite editing the 2nd photograph on photobucket to put it the right way up, every time I post it it still appears upside down.....off to look for my thinking cap!

I have had an email with the information about the size of the object. It is about 12" high, the base is 5-6" in diameter and the handle part screws off so it is hollow.

Joan, do you go on the www.oneguyfrombarlick.co.uk website, there are loads of engineer/technical guys on there who I am sure could answer this.
I would put it on myself but am unsure how to transfer the pics----bet Mel could do it. MELLLLLLLL hellooooo.
Gloria

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

I'll give it a go.

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Mel

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Hi All,

I think it is a Ceremonial Mallet. She probably laid the first stone for the Chapel with it.

There is a similar one shown here:

http://www.tennants.co.uk/Catalogue/Lots/63395.aspx

Mo

Thankyou all so much for your help, I think the mystery is solved about what it is, I don't suppose we will ever know how it came into my Great Aunts possession and ended up in New Zealand.
I will have a look through Jack Nadins Burnley Express indexes at the Central Library and see if there are any articles about Bartle Hills and Miss Barnes and if I find anything I will let you know.

This is the link to the thread on the One Guy From Barlick site http://oneguyfrombarlick.co.uk/forum_to ... #pid150992

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the "one guy from Barlick site", I had no idea it existed. My 3x Great Grandad was born in Kelbrook so I have posted a new thread about it in the family history section!