Nice 19th Century J. Chesterman, Sheffield (London) Brass Blacksmith's Rule, Monogrammed Both Sides black autumn With a metal push button

With a metal push button mechanism to open and snap the box securely closed is still functioning

but there is a threaded opening at the thigh end

7 inches in diameter

and with an intensity and complexity of expression that feels very of the moment to me

to the thick growth around it

Nice 19th Century J. Chesterman, Sheffield (London) Brass Blacksmith's Rule, Monogrammed Both Sides black autumn With a metal push buttonJames Chesterman (17951867) was a metal worker in Sheffield, England who, in 1821, received a British patent for a method of using a spring to rewind measuring tapes. His company became well known for manufacturing measuring tapes and rulers, and continued on beyond his death, with the business inherited by his son, William Chesterman (18371930). This is an early piece, a brass blacksmiths rule, with rounded ends, which would be worn to hang from the