S/2309 Antique Treen 19th Century Lignum Vitae Fid

A medium sized lignum vitae fid, made from heart and sap wood and decorated with three incised lines. Fids were used for splicing ropes and came in all sizes, usually 9 to 18 inches in length. The largest recorded is at the Worthing Museum in Sussex, measuring 52 inches in length and 11 inches in diameter. They were also made of boxwood and whale bone (see S/1822 and S/2210). Iron versions of fids were called Marlin Spikes or Stabbers. The whole retains a patination.

Sold 16 in. (40.5 cm.) Wide
1¾ in. (4.5 cm.) Diameter English Circa 1820