Re: what is this object?

[Kjetil Rå Hauge]

ie wrote:

> "Pan Am" <panam@xxxxxxxxxx> skrev i meddelandet
> news:1123591654.c14ebb47dae500f614154a370570cd7d@xxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > just curious...
> > have you seen something like this before?
> > Total length 13cm (5 inches)
> > The bottom edge (2cm) was sharpened
> > Origin: Italy
> >
> > http://www.imagerage.com/picture/ITp90898.jpg
> >
> > TIA
>
>
> Yes I have seen such here in Scandinavia. It's alike the 'modern' type of
> small spades used to take three 'spoons' of sand/earth on the coffin during
> burials. I have been told that the old ones(from Catholic Age in Sweden)
> looking more or less exactly as the one on the photo was used by the pater
> or priest. If in the same way as today's or not I don't know.
>
> Inger E

A 13 cm spade for throwing earth on the coffin? That's the size of a 
small teaspoon. I'd have thought Swedish priests used more man-sized tools.