[One of] Two Fire-steels (lengths 3 1/2 ins); both of same type and apparently by the same maker; in shape like an elongated O, tapering slightly towards bottom, which narrows to form screw-driver; central space filled with ornamental tracery-work in brass; top pierced to receive steel pricker (one missing), the point of which passes down the centre of a coil of brass wire occupying a cavity in the middle of the tracery. ? Spain. [NB: one of fifty-seven specimens (nos. 367-423) believed to be all Spanish, some of considerable antiquity. Most of them were formerly in the Lavedan Collection. The series is remarkable for the excellent artistic design and the fineness of the steel-casting exhibited by many of the examples - these being special features of Spanish steels, which often bear names, initials, or armorial bearings, showing the pride taken in them by their owners.]