<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><metadata xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"  xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"><dc:title xml:lang="en">serving mallets</dc:title><dc:identifier>http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en?tema=31422143</dc:identifier><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Getty Institute</dc:publisher><dcterms:created>2026-03-30 20:45:00</dcterms:created><dcterms:isPartOf xsi:type="dcterms:URI">http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en</dcterms:isPartOf><dcterms:isPartOf xml:lang="en">Tesaurus d&apos;Art i Arquitectura</dcterms:isPartOf><dc:format>text/html</dc:format> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">serving mallet</dcterms:alternative> <dc:description xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ Hand-held wooden tools, comprising a cylindrical head with a semi-circular groove cut along its length attached to a thin handle, designed to pass serving (typically spunyarn or twine) around a rope. To facilitate serving, a method of protecting rope ends from damage by wrapping them in yarn or twine, the rope is fitted into the tool's groove and the yarn/twine is wound tightly around its head and handle. As the tool is rotated around the rope, the serving material is fed in such a way that allows it to be kept taut thus ensuring maximum tightness. Resembling a mallet, this tool is most often used by ship crews to manage rope while sailing.  ]]></dc:description></metadata>