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

It was, in fact, a goffering iron.

Goffering was the process of creating frills so that they were evenly and finely gathered. Many devices were designed to deal with the process of keeping cuffs, collars and ruffles nicely goffered and crimped, such as corrugated boards and rollers.

By the middle of the 19th century, goffering irons were developed.

The task of crimping or goffering Victorian clothes was made easier by the fact that collars, cuffs and ruffles were detachable. This was done so that they could be washed more regularly than the large and heavy items of clothing to which they were attached. Once washed, these items needed gathering and goffering before being sewn back on the garments.

This particular iron - also known as an Italian iron or tally iron - was used by inserting a hot poker in the top rod and then wrapping the ruffle or other trim around it.

All Craven Curiosities can be viewed in the newly reopened Craven Museum in Skipton Town Hall.

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