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Creating frills and ruffles required special irons. One solution was a goffering iron, also known as an Italian (or tally iron). The iron was heated by inserting a red-hot iron rod, similar to a poker into the hollow tube. Frilled cuffs and collars were curled around the heated tube, and other trimmings, like bows and ribbons were pulled down over it.

This goffering iron, has a hollow, cast iron cylinder, on an S shaped wrought iron stem attached to a circular cast iron decorative base. 'T' has been stamped on the base.