NO-ONE managed to identify last week's Craven Curiosity.

One reader suggested it was some kind of printing device, but it was, in fact, a knife and fork cleaner, which was designed to save time in the Victorian era.

Experts at Craven Museum and Gallery tell us: "The knife would be placed between the two large rollers then with the turning of the handle the rollers would scrape the grime and dirt of the knife. Forks would be placed on the grooved roller in order for cleaning to take place between the tongs.

"Before the advent of modern stainless steel cutlery was extremely prone to rust and corrosion as such it had to be cleaned thoroughly then polished with an abrasive substance such as emery powder.

"The idea behind a knife and fork cleaner was that it would make this time consuming process quicker and easier. However, usually after the knife or fork had been through the cleaner it still had to be washed again with water. With the advent of stainless steel in the early 20th century such devices became obsolete and they started to fall out of use.

"This particular model was manufactured by Fred Manby & Bro, a well-known ironmonger from Skipton. Fred Manby & Bro was founded in 1817 on Skipton’s High Street. The business eventually grew to sell a variety of items ranging from kitchen utensils to nails and bolts. The company eventually closed in 1986 after around 170 years trading."

Current Craven Curiosities can be viewed in Skipton's Tourist Information Centre until the museum reopens next Friday, May 1.

Meanwhile, we are inviting guesses about this week’s object. Suggestions should be emailed to news@cravenherald.co.uk