This funny looking thing is a vintage English brass toasting fork from the 1930's that I brought home recently from England. It was used (as it's name implies) to toast bread (or crumpets) before the open flame of a fire or even an the bar of an electric fire. The toasting fork measures 17.5 inches long. They are really quite nostalgic as well as ornamental! Shipping in the US by USPS priority insured with tracking is $7.60.
