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Bones or Busks?
Vintage pair of extra long (8") musical bones stamped "MADE IN ENGLAND."
Or maybe these are not musical bones at all. Maybe they are whale bone busks for a child's corset. (Adult corset busks typically measure 12" in length). Then again, maybe these are neither musical bones or busks. One suggestion, because they are rather thin (3/16"), is they are book spines. Another is they are page turners.
But whatever they are, they are fun to play and produce a nice crisp snappy sound. How old are they? The whaling industry was going strong in 1807, so I am guessing this pair is from one-hundred to two-hundred years old.
Click More Photos button above to see additional images including detail of engraved die stamp.
Can you solve the mystery of these bones?
If you know the provenance of these objects, then post your opinion via the review system. Give the 'review' one star and please title it Guest Reply. |
- Length: 8"
- Width: 1"
- Thickness: 3/16"
- Composition: Natural bone, possibly from whale jaw
- Weight: 2.95 oz
- Camber (arc): slightly curved
- Color: Natural
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Whalebone bones? 
