Silver Object
#49010

Figure: 39 - #49010 Photo

Figure: 40 - #49010 Illustration

     At times artifacts are recovered which have no parallels from either previous recoveries nor (as far as we know) other extant collections. Such is the case with Artifact #49010 found by the crew of the Gold Duster on the Corrigans wreck site. This enigmatic object is obviously a well made piece and was part of a wealthy passengers belongings. (see report on possible belongings of wealthy female passenger, page 206). This object was found very near the silver dog collar #49003 (following article) and may be a part of the same family's assemblage. The object has been described as a nail file shaped object. Approximately 10" X 1" and tapered. It's shape is that of an elongated and rounded teardrop or nail file. It has a monogrammed set of initials (see figure 41) on the rounded or ventral side and on the flat or dorsal side it is ornately etched with a city scene as well as a beaked creature (see figure 42), leaping dog with collar, a winged cherub playing a stringed instrument, possibly a lute (see figure 43), and a winged creature (see figure 44). At the tapered or distil end of the object on the dorsal side there appear a series of three raised ridges which run from side to side.

Figure: 41 - Close up of initials on #49010 Photo
Figure: 42 Close up of city and beaked creature #49010 Photo	Figure: 43 Close up of cherub and dog #49010 Photo
Figure: 44 Close up of winged creature #49010 Photo

     Because of the motif of the Cherub playing the instrument it has been suggested that this is some form of pick for a stringed instrument. It is also similar to hair adornments used by aristocratic women of the period. A letter opener was suggested and quickly dismissed due to the fact that the type of envelope for which letter openers were used was not common at the time. It also may have been a tool for fastening or unfastening corsets. The initials on the object are a tantalizing clue to ownership, but a search through the research material on the suspect vessels turned up no such initials.

     We have contacted a number of resources as to its identity. To date with very little luck in identification - this object remains an on-going research priority.