The mysterious object is an antique ham or lamb bone holder, sometimes known by the French name manche à gigot. These unusual utensils were designed to make carving large roasted joints easier and considerably more elegant.
The ornate handle was held in one hand while the adjustable metal prongs were positioned around the exposed bone of a ham or leg of lamb. Turning the small side screw tightened the clamp securely around the bone, giving the person carving a firm grip without having to hold the greasy or hot joint directly. Antique examples from the late 19th century feature almost exactly this combination of a decorative silver handle, adjustable screw, and gripping prongs.
These specialized utensils were particularly suited to formal dining, when carving meat at the table was part of the meal’s presentation. Silver and silver-plated versions could be made decorative enough to match elaborate carving sets and other tableware.
Today, most people have never encountered one, which explains why the object can look so mysterious.
What appeared to be an elaborate mechanical gadget was actually a clever dining tool from an era when even carving a Sunday roast came with its own specialized piece of equipment.
