Old Iron Hand-shaped (Presumed) Branding Iron pair of stone fruit pears and four layers around the

and four layers around the sides

9" x 12" gouache on board

The three dark ones I think are ebony

but I do think whoever made this must have felt quite satisfied with this wonderful jointed rower once finished

Old Iron Hand-shaped (Presumed) Branding Iron pair of stone fruit pears and four layers around theI can't figure out anything this could be other than a branding iron; there are gaps at either side where the hand meets the handle that make it seem unlikely that it would work as a mold or cutter of some sort. Assuming the former, I'd guess that the arm once fit inside some sort of extension, so that when hot it would not burn one's hand when using. It appears to me that it was hand forged, and is quite old (and heavy, weighing almost 2 pounds) and