The most obvious question a curator needs to ask is, “What is it?” Once a curator knows what an
object is, he or she can decide what other questions need to be asked in order to reveal the story
it holds.
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What am I? Egg Iron, ca 1850 (CSTM 950835) See: Love, Leisure and Laundry | |
At first glance, this artifact may look like a weapon from the Middle Ages but, in fact, its purpose
is much more peaceful. It is called an “egg iron” because of its shape, and it was used during the
1800s to iron wrinkles out of hats, puffed sleeves and other round or curved pieces of clothing. The
egg-shaped end would be heated on a stove, and then applied to the inside of the wrinkled item.
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Photo: May Ballantyne, National Archives of Canada/PA-131939 | |