Collections Database

Description:
Iron pinching iron with two heavy round tips and two loop handles, one larger than the other. James Steven Cox describes them as "iron with circular flat-faced ends, which heated are pressed together by means of the handles scissor-fashion to pinch ringlets and shapes into the hair" and notes that pinching irons were also called curl-paper irons in the 18th century. Frank Barnes in his "Hooks, Rings & Other Things" illustrates similar English forms which he describes as being used to fashion wigs, make spit curls around the face, or shape moustache ends.

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+55.107

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