Object number
60/467
Collection
Creator
Description
This eel trap, used for catching eels, was made by Great Yarmouth Stores Ltd in Norfolk. It is made of buff willow and centre cane. It has a funnel-entrance, a single non-return valve and a cork bung. This type of eel trap was baited, weighted so that it would sink, and tethered to the bank of a river. The Norfolk eel trap differs in design from both the Fenland eel trap and the River Severn trap. Other names for the eel trap include ‘eel pot’ in Norfolk, ‘putcher’ in Gloucestershire, ‘grig’ in Sussex, the Fens, Oxfordshire and the River Severn, and ‘hive’ in Cambridgeshire. This trap is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council.
Physical description
1 eel trap: willow, cane
Label Text
EEL TRAP<br>This hunting tool was created in 1954 in Norfolk. Eel traps were commonly used in poorer communities with less access to meat and fish. “Marsh-men” would wade through deep water to retrieve these traps, which contained eels with a non-return valve.<br><br>Eels are still hunted on a smaller scale, but fishing lines with bait are now more frequently used. Buying fish from an eel farm is typically safer than catching them, as farmed eels are regularly tested for disease and parasites.<br><br>MERL 60/467
Archival history
MERL miscellaneous note, B. L. 22 March 1961 – ‘The British Council collection. // This collection of material which is covered by the accession numbers 60/430 to 60/791 contains examples of craft products made in the British Isles. The major part of the collection was prepared immediately after the Second World War for a travelling exhibition which was sent to Australia and New Zealand. // The collection was purchased for a nominal sum by the Museum in two portions, the one in the summer of 1960 and the other in February 1961. // For further details see the individual catalogue cards and the catalogue prepared for the temporary exhibition of the collection.’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘The eel trap is constructed of brown and white willow. It has a single non-return valve which has a funnel-shaped entrance. The centre is bowed to contain the catch and the opposite end to the valve is plugged by a large cork bung. The whole trap is 31 in. long. // Made by: Yarmouth Stores Limited, 117/119 South Quay, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. // For a description of similar eel traps on the River Severn and its tributaries, see MERL temporary exhibition catalogue, “Severn Fisheries,” September 1956. // See also general card on basket making which contains extracts from a letter from the makers.’, MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: Trap (eel, basketwork) // Acc. No.: 60/467 // Group: FISHING. FRESHWATER // Neg. no.: 60/3316 // Place of origin: Great Yarmouth. Norfolk. // Period in use: // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Buff willow. Centre cane for fitches. Heavy cane rim & inner ring. // Shape and construction: Very similar to 63/171 but 83 outer stakes & 82 inner ones. The cork bung is attached on a cord making a non-return valve. // Dimensions: Height: 31” Diam. neck: 5 1/2” Diam. widest funnel end: 13” // Use: For catching eels. Baited, weighted & tethered to the bank of a river. // Dialect names: Eel wheel. Glos. [Gloucestershire] (lower reaches of the Severn) also putcher, higher up. // Distribution: Norfolk, Gloucestershire // Additional notes: See MERL temp. exhib. [temporary exhibition] Catalogue “Severn Fisheries” Sept. 1956. Also Illust. Guide to the Severn Fisheries. Taylor J. N. city of Gloc. Folk Hist. 1953 [Taylor, John Neufville, ‘Illustrated Guide to the Severn Fishery Collection’. City of Gloucester Folk Museum, 1953]', British Council Ref. No. C/541.
Production place
Great Yarmouth
Production date
1954 - 1954
Object name
Material
Technique
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3316.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\60_467_cob.tif - High resolution image
