Mystery stone

[tombear]

Hi folks
when we moved in there was a slab of "stone"which had been the top of some sort of chest of draws and I was wondering if any one could identify it or say if it is one of those fake composite things that they loved making in the 30s and before?

i chucked my glass of water on it to bring out the pattern. It's about a yard long and a finger thick. What could I use it for apart from gravel?

Cheers

Tom

 

[mountainm]

Looks like some kind of marble to me.

 

[JonathanD]

Or reconstituted marble.

 

[mountainm]

Red Alcante maybe?
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=R...s44H4Dw&ved=0CCEQsAQ&biw=1777&bih=824&dpr=0.9

 

[Macaroon]

I've always used a piece of stone like this as a worktop for leather and harness work; mousepads or similar underneath, and cutting mats on top for cutting and whastever you normally use for stamping etc., and just the smooth stone oiled for skiving; sharpen your blade as you work! It's a much nicer feel when you're working and deadens the sounds of stamping and hole punching, and requires less force on the mallet.

 

[tombear]

Or reconstituted marble.

i was thinking that was a possibility. Is there any way of telling if it is the faked stuff?

Turning it into a work surface rather apeals, I could make a tray to go under it/ hold it but it would somehow sit ill with me if it was the reconstructed stuff.

For a moment I thought I could use it as a bakestone, cut down to size.

atb

tom

 

[AussieVic]

Looks like "real" marble. Some of those shapes in it are probably the remains of sea creatures....

 

[Sparrowmax]

Its probably the base to a fire hearth - electric or gas one. looks about the right thickness and shape for one. Think its one of the processed stuff.

 

[ammo]

Use it as a work station anyway.

 

[londonscrub]

i think it looks real. if you cook you can use it for all your pastry - it keeps it cool and stops it being over-worked....

 

[tombear]

Cheers for the input folks. On enquiry herself says it was the top of a elaborate wash stand that was leaning against a wall in the shed when moved in. 3 of the 4 edges were surrounded by a splash back of very elaborate tiles, your high Victorian ugly stuff. I vaguely remember removing the wormy wood work and tiles now I'm reminded of it.

ATB

Tom