Saw Tooth Trammel

Dateca.1750-1820

MediumWrought iron

DimensionsOverall ( (extended): 38 x 3 9/16in. (96.5 x 9cm)
Overall (unextended): 28 1/4in. (71.8cm)

Credit LineGift of Louisa F. France

Object number1994-114

DescriptionWrought iron trammel composed of a narrow, rectangular sectioned bar with a hook at its top and an adjustable lever riveted to its bottom end. Broad saw tooth bar with a chiseled hook forged into its bottom and a fixed keeper riveted to its top. Lever, which controls height by hooking into the teeth, is recurved and set with a knop finial.Label TextSet unseen above the fire in the early American kitchen was a wooden "lug pole" or an iron "trammel bar," spanning the width of the chimney's opening and acting as the primary support for the variety of cooking wares in use. Some sort of adjustable iron device was needed to hand the vessel from, and creative blacksmiths forged a variety of devices to fit the bill. While simple chains and hooks would work perfectly well, better devices called trammels were a popular and more convenient alternative, providing easier control over the height of the cooking vessel.

Called a "saw tooth" trammel for it's obvious resemblance to the wood cutting tool, this clever device was no more or less effective than other types of trammels used in early fireplaces. It was, however, easier to use and more interesting to look at.