By Julie Martineau for The Beacon
Object 71.11 is… well…odd. A metal handle attaches to a rusted tangle of metal rings, which could lead to questions like “what the heck is that thing?”
Hazel McAnally was an active collector of many things, among them a lovely wooden cabinet that contains a lovely button collection that is currently on display in the Rotunda here at the Heritage Museum. Another object from the Collection that was once owned by Ms. McAnally is the object pictured.
Cast iron cookware has been in existence for over 2,000 years, starting with the Han dynasty. Eventually, in 16th-century Europe, cast iron cookware caught on. And with the cookware came the need to be able to properly clean it without losing the non-stick characteristics of a well-seasoned pan.
Chain mail developed not too long after cast iron cookware, believe it or not. Historians are unsure as to exactly where chain mail was originally developed though. There are examples that were used by the ancient Celts, the Japanese, the Chinese, and the Romans. Although it was mostly used as a form of armor, chain mail could also be used for jewelry and other applications.
Cast iron, once it is properly seasoned, has a non-stick coating that can rival the very best non-stick cookware and generally lasts a lot longer. Unfortunately, that same seasoning can limit your options as far as cleaning the cast iron goes. Most aficionados of cast iron will tell you that cleaning it with soapy water is practically a cardinal sin, so how to clean any remnants of your meal from the pan when simply wiping it out won’t do? That is where our object comes in handy.
The chain mail portion of our tool acts like a metal scrubber, allowing the wielder to clean any stuck on or burnt particles while helping to maintain the seasoned surface of the cast iron. One would simply scrub the pan or skillet with our object, some water, and a generous application of elbow grease, then wipe it clean when done. This method eliminated the need to constantly re-season your pan or skillet, in turn prolonging the life of the pan.
Chain mail scrubbers are currently enjoying a surge in popularity, with multiple versions being available on the internet. It seems that what was once old, is new again!
Want to see the objects from our articles in person? Come on down to the Heritage Museum and check out the rotating display of featured objects.