51/157

This wooden oblong seedlip has a gentle curve inwards to fit the body of the sower and is probably very old. It has a small wooden rest at the front to prevent it tipping over when put on the ground. It hung from the sower’s neck by a leather strap as they walked across the field sowing seeds.

1 Seedlip: wood, leather strap, metal. good condition.

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'The earliest method of sowing was to broadcast the seed from a basket and later a seedlip. This was slung from the neck and the sower walked across the field making a cast with each step. On his return he would push the seedlip round to the opposite side and sow with the other hand. The cast was always made inwards towards the body. // This specimen is probably very old, as it preceded the kidney-shaped seedlip. It is made entirely of wood, has no upright handle or bar across the middle but is hung from the neck by a leather strap which is slotted through two slits in the back of the seedlip and secured by metal pegs. The shape is oblong, with a gentle curve inwards to fit the body of the sower. It has a small wooden rest at the front so that it would not tip over when placed on the ground. The length is 35 inches, the height 7 inches and the width 9 inches. // Mr. Massingham obtained it from the Sexty brothers of Bangrove farm, under Oxenton Hill (Glos.). It was repaired by Mr. Greening of Winchcomb [sic.].', MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/157 // NAME: SEEDLIP // NEG NO.: 35/132 // STORAGE: P.Ex. (Permanent Exhibition) Seeding.', MERL Miscellaneous note - [Further Afield project] - Sower may be male or female.

Wood, Metal, Leather

Greening (Agent)