The nimph with tongs? pincers? (f80r)

[Koen G]

... hence the cross in nymph's hands on the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. may mean a You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view..

These pictures are of 16 century, but the staff itself is appeared in 14 c.
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Food for thought, as always.

Very nice, Searcher. To be able to see a cross shape and not assume that it must be the Christian cross, that is a rare gift. 

It's a good idea to try and see some larger picture in the objects. Various stages of spinning is most likely one theme. I would personally relate this to the Platonic thought of the heavens as revolving like a spindle. 

That would make it very likely that astronomical instruments is another. Diane also thinks that the cross and some other items refer to such tools.

Now as a matter of personal interest, I believe that the cross nymph as a whole refers to the constellation Argo Navis, and probably its star Canopus in particular. This is one of the most prominent features of the night sky, ever close to the horizon. I know it was often used by mariners because of that, but haven't looked into tools yet. I wonder if there would be a reason to depict something like a cross staff here.