Forget the Chinese Water Torture

July 24, 2007 1:40 PM

Is this some sort of Japanese Torture Device?

What is this? I found it boxed up carefully in the garage of the house I bought. The previous owner did have some Asian furniture, and I'm fairly certain they spent some time in Asia (both are deceased so I cant ask). There is a sticker on the bottom that says Japan. From the top, the design obviously looks like it is of Asian origin, but the attachments are what I can't figure out. There are four sharp pointed spikes coming up from the base, and the parallel attachment has about 6 sharp points of varying length facing down. Since the perpendicular arm is adjustable (up/down) and can be tightened, I'm thinking it is intended to hold something securely to the board, but am not sure what. Other than a hunk of meat, what else would you secure to a board like this.

If it is a cutting/carving board, What is up with the design? Is this just a nice carving platter? Or is there some significance to it? Do I have something of value or collectors interest on my hands?

posted by tdischino to home & garden (4 comments total)

It's a cutting board for prime rib of a fairly standard design. Whatever else you want to secure to a board like that is entirely up to you.
posted by Floydd at 1:44 PM on July 24, 2007

It's a carving board board for turkey. The spikes and arm are for holding the thing still while you hack at it with a knife. The grooves are for turkey juice channeling. It's not too special, I think.
posted by silby at 1:45 PM on July 24, 2007

It's a cutting board. The spikes on the bottom and the widget at the top are there to hold a large roast in place while you cut it. The channels allow the juices to drain away. It is, in fact, designed to hold a huge hunk of meat, such as a ham or beef roast.
I imagine you could use it for pumpkin carving, too.
posted by leapfrog at 1:58 PM on July 24, 2007

this very carving board was very, vey popular several decades ago, so it is highly unlikely that it has value as a collector's item. It is a functional carving board though.
posted by caddis at 9:59 PM on July 24, 2007