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		#1 | 
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			 Member 
			
			
			
			Join Date: Nov 2010 
				
				
				
					Posts: 129
				 
				
				
				
				
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			Looks like a pipe rack - failry common in the Edwardian period, when men smoked pipes rather than cigarettes... 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	It would be a shame to alter it...  | 
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		#2 | |
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			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Jun 2008 
				Location: The Sharp end 
				
				
					Posts: 2,928
				 
				
				
				
				
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			 Quote: 
	
 I agree it seems like it has to be a pipe rack, but its so damn big! Almost like it was made to sit outside a buildings entrance for visitors to leave their pipes in. But it's the combination of the moto, the snakes , the size etc making it a bit of a puzzler to me. Is it: be strong and avoid the temptation (snakes) of smoking?  | 
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		#3 | |
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			 Keris forum moderator 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Aug 2006 
				Location: Nova Scotia 
				
				
					Posts: 7,250
				 
				
				
				
				
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			 Quote: 
	
   ....but it is still full of mysteries....  
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		#4 | |
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			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Jun 2008 
				Location: The Sharp end 
				
				
					Posts: 2,928
				 
				
				
				
				
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			 Quote: 
	
 Agreed. My plan now is careful restoration and it'll go on show with small objects on the lower large shelf. I love it to be honest! ![]() Edit: would have made a nice dagger rack though  
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		#5 | 
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			 (deceased) 
			
			
			
			Join Date: Dec 2004 
				Location: OKLAHOMA, USA 
				
				
					Posts: 3,138
				 
				
				
				
				
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			I ONLY KNOW WHAT LITTLE I HAVE SEEN IN MOVIES OR ON TV ABOUT ENGLISH GENTLEMANS CLUBS. PERHAPS A EXCLUSIVE GENTLEMANS CLUB OF THE PERIOD WOULD HAVE HAD SUCH A PIPE RACK AT THE CLUB FOR THE MEMBERS TO LEAVE THEIR PIPES AT THE CLUB. THE STEWARD COULD BRING THEM THEIR PIPE AND SOME TOBACCO WHEN REQUESTED. THEY COULD SMOKE AT THE CLUB EVEN IF THEIR WIFE DISSAPROVED OF THE HABIT IN THE HOME. THE ITEM IS CERTIANLY OF THE HIGH QUALITY WORKMANSHIP REQUIRED BY THE WEALTHY WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF SUCH CLUBS. JUST A THOUGHT  
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	 
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