On Feb 24, 1:21 pm, "brooklyn1" > wrote:
> "Lynn from Fargo Ografmorffig" > wrote in ...
> On Feb 24, 10:27 am, Nancy2 > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Feb 23, 3:39 pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
>
> > > Very unusual tongs. Used to grab what?
>
> > >http://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ260365658472
>
> > > I'd say they were used to grab something submerged
> > > in boiling water or frying oil, both from the length
> > > and the star-like grippers which allow the liquid to
> > > flow out.
>
> > > But what? It looks like it must have been something
> > > slippery or otherwise difficult to grip. Possibly
> > > easily damaged, otherwise the grippers would be
> > > more pointy. Perhaps live fish or crabs? Perhaps
> > > fried doughnuts?
>
> > Cooked artichokes.
>
> > N.
>
> Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . . I like that answer.
>
> I seriously doubt it has a whit to do with food or it wouldn't be made of
> aluminum. The geometry looks more condusive of a forming/patterning tool.
> It's probably for some industrial application, perhaps fiber arts, a
> millner's crimping tool, forming silk/paper flowers...

Lots of vintage cooking implements are/were made of aluminum, not to
mention the original WearEver cooking and baking pans. I have a
vintage canning funnel that is aluminum.

N.