Lucky rod

These silver pliers in the shape of a stork were given a place on the mantelpiece even before birth to ensure good luck for both mother and child. Sometimes the stork has a flat beak, in which case the pliers may have been used to hold the umbilical cord during tying. The tongs are craftsmanship. A beaked baby is visible in the 'belly' and there are bird feet on the handles. Sometimes there is a turtle there, a symbol of fertility.