Test yourself by guessing these mysterious everyday items from the past

Struggling to keep up with the latest trends and gadgets? We’ve all been there. Just when you get used to one thing, a new upgrade comes along. But before you feel behind the times, consider how modern our lives really are by checking out these everyday items from the past.

We’ve gathered six historic objects cared for by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) that were central to people’s lives from the Middle Ages to the mid-20th century. Can you figure out what any of them were used for?

1. Pirlie pig

Thinking about taking part in your banking app’s daily savings challenge or already schedule deposits into a savings account? Well, as early as the 15th century, people used this mushroom-shaped box as a piggy bank!

This medieval version, known as a pirlie pig, was found at Melrose Abbey and dates from the 1400s to the 1500s. It was easily identified as Scottish by its horizontal split for coins, whereas pirlie pigs in England had vertical slits.

2. Painted whale ear bone

While nowadays a lot of artwork depicts scenic landscapes or perhaps a fun regal digital print of a family pet, there was once a time when painting pictures on whale bones was all the rage.

Whalers out at sea for long periods of time would carve and decorate whale bones and walrus tusks to pass the time. Carved versions were known as ‘scrimshaws’.

When seen from a particular angle, whale ear bones resemble the side profile of a human face. Sailors had a whale of a time painting them with faces to keep as souvenirs. This example, painted on the ear bone of a mature sperm whale of over 20 metres in length, was meant to look like a Scottish soldier.

Would you hang one of these in your living room?

3. Quern

Similar to a pestle and mortar, a quern was used to grind food, such as grain, during the 1400s.

While the face on the side looks rather like a ghoul coming out of the stone, it actually has a functional purpose. The mouth acted as a pouring channel for removing the ground material, such as water and dirt.

Grain is still a major part of Scotland's food and drink production, however these querns are not.

4. Comb

Tangled hair? Knot a problem!

This double-sided birch wood comb had many uses during the 1400s. The coarse teeth on one side were used as a typical brush while the fine teeth on the other side were likely used to remove nits.

The decoration suggests the comb could also have been used as a love token. Although it is pictured bare, it may have been highly polished and painted and the decorative carvings of hearts and letters suggests personalisation of couples’ initials.

This comb was recovered by HES from the moat at Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries and Galloway, during excavations between 1955 and 1966.

5. Wicker basket on wheels

Think this is just your typical laundry basket? Think again.

Wicker baskets like this one were used to transport cotton made at Stanley Mills in the mid-20th century and were known in the mills as a ‘linn binn’.

This wicker basket on wheels, made in the 20th century, was also part of wedding ceremonies where the bride or groom would jump inside for a fun spin down the hill before they tied the knot.

With the wheels made of cast iron and the wheel bearings mounted on five wooden boards bolted directly to the base of the wicker basket, it makes for a sturdy pre-wedding day ride! Perhaps something to consider for newlyweds-to-be.

6. Thimble

From this image, you may think this golden helmet-shaped object was worn by knights heading into battle or jousters to protect them from their opponents' jousting stick during a tournament.

In actual fact, this object is the size of your fingertip and was a handy accessory used for sewing several centuries ago.

This thimble was found during excavations at Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries and Galloway, between 1955 and 1966. Historians think this was handmade sometime before 1620, due to its uneven pattern. The thimble would have been pressed or stamped by hammering a punch onto a plate of copper sitting on a hollow die, which is a specialised tool often used nowadays in pottery.

Did you guess any of these objects correctly?

HES looks after more than 43,000 historic objects on behalf of the people of Scotland and makes sure they’re conserved and protected so they can continue to benefit people, communities and the environment for years to come.

Want to have your say on how these items are looked after for future generations? Take part in the Properties and Collections Strategy consultation here and share your views.

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