What are these hang hooks with designs

[Wheatsweep]

I found one of these before are they used for anything in particular. this one has really intricate designs on it.

 

[Mud Hut]

Picture hanging hooks

 

[Subterranean]

Victorian era framed photo or painting hangers for the wall? They hooked on ledges and held the wire on the back of the frame, so I have heard. Cool finds! Sub

 

[sutphin]

I would say Mr. Sub is correct because of the way the arrow is convex and curved for the wire to follow.vanzutphen

 

[stefen]

I have a Victorian house and those type of picture hooks are found throughout.

In our home, there is a trim about 8 to 10 inches below the crown moulding that has a slot on the top. The hook is set into the slot and pictures (and such) are hung on braided wire...this eliminates driving nails into the older lath and plaster.

Look near the bottom of the picture and you can see that the hooks are visible. this should give you an idea...Old photo when I bought the house...solid redwood walls...absolutely no termites or rot...