LAST week’s curiosity appears to have stumped readers, and not surprisingly, too.

Who would have guessed the tool, pictured below, would be linked to the way we - at least our descendants - enjoyed listening to music in their leisure time?

It certainly gives the appearance of some device used in precision work, but few would realise it would have such a simple use.

Bill Rhodes, who sent us in the photograph, tells us: “The object is a miniature lathe for sharpening thorn needles.

“In the days of 78 gramophones some people thought that the steel needles gave too harsh a tone.

“Various alternatives were tried but the most successful was a thorn from a particular type of cactus.

“The problem was that they blunted quickly.

“With this device the needle is inserted in the chuck in front of the emery disc.

“Turning the knob on the back of the disc rotates the disc. It also spins the chuck, sharpening the needle.”

How many people would have owned such a luxury is not known, but we are guessing it is a fairly rare item and something to treasure from yesteryear. A curiosity, indeed.

This week’s curiosity - top picture - will be familiar to lots of people and was found in a Yorkshire garden.

Clearnly the item is not intact, but there is enough of it to see the design. Many will have seen the more plain examples unearthed, so it is good to see one where some artistry has gone into its making.

A pair of tweezers offers an example of its size. Does anyone remember seeing anyone use these in the distant past?

Let us know. Send your suggestions by 8am on Monday to: news@cravenherald.co.uk