Wasn’t this a hard one to catch! Ah ha! The last guessing game many of you told me it was too easy. Well I listened, and there ain’t gonna be no more easy ever again in the guessing games. Annie, the "estampes" are not fishing tackle.
Many of you thought they had to do with fairies who would bring good wishes. Some of you guessed that the "estampes" were for doll houses. Or they were used as a stamp in sealing wax.
A number of you guessed that maybe they were for Monopoly, or Bingo or Clue. Susan said, "…when playing darts they were the prize in the balloon." Even though I agree they look like game tokens they are not.
Tender and sweet were several of the guesses. Kas asked, "Are they for Advent calendars?" Elizabeth guessed, "Are they to celebrate the nine months of pregnancy?" I love wishful thinking it is music to my ears.
Some of you gave up, threw in the dice, and started claiming I was torturing you. I am glad this one buzzed around begging you to guess again! Kelly had her entire family guessing. How fun is that!
Nearly half of you guessed that the "estampes" were "feves" to put into a cake or pudding or something. Shelley Noble thought you swallowed them like prayer tablets. Communion yes, estampes no. And who guessed them to be re-usable iron pills!!!
Most the guesses claimed them to be charms, gems, tokens, favors, weights for dress, magnets, tooth or nail earrings, push pins, party favors, milagros, embellishments for art…Stephanie and a few others claimed them to be prizes in Cracker Jacks!
My Brother Mathew, Cousin Franca Bolla and Catalina wove stories around the symbols of the "estampes." You guys know I eat that stuff up. Lovingly in spoonfuls! So why did you bring the word diet into it?
Patti thought they were for fortune telling, to put into your tea. A handful of you thought along those lines.
Your guesses were many, creative, curious and wonderful! I read every single one of them over and over. It was hard, very hard to pick the most creative one. Hasmin stole my romantic heart with, "My guess, without being too risque, is that a woman would tuck these in her lingerie, and her lover would try and find it."
French husband are you ready for a new gamey-pooh?
…and then minutes before the clock struck midnight Yvonne chimed in:
"I believe I have your answer. They are called ‘estampes’ and are used as the hooks/closures for the small LIMOGES porcelain boxes, made here in my beautiful city of Limoges! These small metallic pieces are attached on to the’top’ metal band that fits over the ‘bottom’ metal band holding the boxes firmly shut. They can range in size but they are very small!
Thank you for playing and for your thoughtful witty guesses!
Photos: A collection of 19th century French Limoges estampes that I found at the brocante. I asked the dealer, "What are these?" She said, "If you guess right I’ll give them to you." Needless to say I paid the price.
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