Wooden blocks - what are these?!

[Kearn]

I was digging around in my cellar looking for some wood to build a bathroom shelf, and stumbled across these and I have no idea what they could be?! Any thoughts?

Two almost identical wooden blocks, mirror image of each other, carved from solid wood - not sure what, but it is a dense hardwood as they have some weight! External measurements are approx. 40cm W x 8cm H x 20cm D, so a bit longer than a sheet of A4 paper. My initial thought was that it was originally one piece cut in half, but obviously the cut edge doesn't work with that theory with the protruding lip. This lip has a round chamfer all around on 3 sides, the 4th side (opposite hole) is square finished, but still with the edge protruding. There is a rectangular hole neatly removed and also a decorative round detail which I presume is only aesthetic.

I did think steps, with the hole being for a railing, but they aren't wide enough for this (and too heavy and thick), plus they mirror each other. They are very uniform and accurate in shape and finish. There doesn't appear to be any noticeable wear to any surface either.

My house is originally a 2 bay Tudor cottage, albeit reasonably high status based on materials and craftsmanship, with an early Georgian 2 storey plus cellar rear wing. I can't work out anywhere that they would have been in my home. There is obviously every chance they have nothing to do with our house!

Any thoughts - I am baffled??!

 

[Kearn]

Two more images, showing the opposing ends...

 

[1934norfolk]

Could they be sides of a fireplace fender?

 

[Kearn]

Possible, but they would be very short. And the lip doesn't make sense to me. Plus the only bit of detail, in the round carving would presumably be hidden if that was the case?!

 

[a twig]

Arms from a chair / bench / commode?

 

[Kearn]

Arms from a chair / bench / commode?

I did think that, given the size. But wow that would be one heavy piece of furniture!! That said, apart from the two holes (which would I suppose be towards the front of the chair facing inwards, there are no other obvious joints or ways of fixing!?

 

[LadyArowana]

What's the circular piece that's visible on one end?

 

[MikeG]

No idea.

What I can help with is that I would suggest that this is oak (or possibly chestnut), and that each piece is made of three pieces: the main piece of wood with the mortise, the capping piece, and the turned button/ knob in the hole in the endgrain. There is no carving that I can see. The overhanging capping piece is likely to have been on the top (it wouldn't be rounded over to the top and bottom faces if it was on the underside in it's original position).

 

[Kearn]

No idea.

What I can help with is that I would suggest that this is oak (or possibly chestnut), and that each piece is made of three pieces: the main piece of wood with the mortise, the capping piece, and the turned button/ knob in the hole in the endgrain. There is no carving that I can see. The overhanging capping piece is likely to have been on the top (it wouldn't be rounded over to the top and bottom faces if it was on the underside in it's original position).

You're right, they are three pieces, unsure of fixing methods without being destructive! Might have to just put them back down there for now as I have no idea and they're bugging me!!

 

[Pennyviz]

No sign of wear anywhere? thinking of maybe treadle plates for sewing machine, church organ etc etc

 

[Kearn]

No sign of wear anywhere? thinking of maybe treadle plates for sewing machine, church organ etc etc

strangely, not at all!! the lipped edge (top) pieces are slightly pulling away from the main block, but no dents, areas of wear or damage anywhere.

For now I am leaning towards arms of some sort, probably a solid bench given the sheer weight (10-15kg each at a guess) - however, most images I have seen (if the arms are solid, and very few are) are heavily carved and ornately detailed. These are plain bar the single round detail!!

 

[Kearn]

I'd forgotten about these hunks of wooden confusion until I literally stumbled across them the other day. There was an idea subsequent to this post regarding what they might have been....

The perpendicular projections into the room of a fireplace fender?!?

The details make sense that the blocks were mounted onto something level, potentially floor and that the rear was flush with a wall or vertical surface. The overlapping, curved pieces are likely top facing. The pair of facing mortices could have had a third wooden piece connecting the other two in front of the fire.

 

[1934norfolk]

Do I win a prize!?

 

[Kearn]

Do I win a prize!?

Haha! I hadn't noticed that comment, or maybe just forgotten!! Can't say I've really found much similar when searching, and they are too low to comfortably sit on, but it is the most sensible idea so far...

 

[worms]

I don’t know what the correct technical term would be, but I wondered if they could be the side blocks (exposed strings?) from a single exposed bottom step on a wooden staircase or wooden front step - you know, the one that extends beyond the bannister and newel post?

 

[Kearn]

I don’t know what the correct technical term would be, but I wondered if they could be the side blocks (exposed strings?) from a single exposed bottom step on a wooden staircase or wooden front step - you know, the one that extends beyond the bannister and newel post?

I know what you mean, it is possible - they are of an appropriate size to match the height / depth of a stair tread and was one of my original thoughts given they are solid. However, if that was the case, they are certainly not from this house as the configuration would have required a freestanding staircase open on both sides which had never been the case on this property.

 

[worms]

You say you found them in the cellar, is it possible there was an older freestanding wooden stair leading down to it?

 

[Kearn]

You say you found them in the cellar, is it possible there was an older freestanding wooden stair leading down to it?

Unfortunately not, it was purely storage, I've found many interesting things in our cellar!

Our cellar is an early Georgian (early 1700s) addition wing to a timber framed cottage, with an external wide arched doorway and internal brick and wood steps still in situ, but long sealed off (job for another day...).

My best guess for now is the fire surround idea, although I'm not sure which of our fireplaces (and when) it would've been in place, but it's probably another mystery to park...!

 

[Zebra]

Here's something similar on eBay - if the link works!.....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAIR-ANTIQUE-FIRESIDE-CLUB-FENDER-SEATS-BOXES-FIREPLACE-COAL-BIN-LOGS-INGLENOOK-/263179151570?hash=item3d46b328d2&nma=true&si=MOI9Dbp8IMdd7JJWhUhwV8G%252B85U%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[Kearn]

Here's something similar on eBay - if the link works!.....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAIR-ANTIQUE-FIRESIDE-CLUB-FENDER-SEATS-BOXES-FIREPLACE-COAL-BIN-LOGS-INGLENOOK-/263179151570?hash=item3d46b328d2&nma=true&si=MOI9Dbp8IMdd7JJWhUhwV8G%252B85U%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Thanks Zebra, these do look very similar, if bigger and more functional with storage, but I can certainly see the similarities. Now, what to do with mine as we have no use for them in our restored inglenook... Back to the cellar I suppose!