67/21

A bodkin is a tool used by basketmakers for a variety of jobs, from opening out the weave to insert a rod or handle, to putting stakes in at the bottom, and therefore come in a many different sizes according to the work, the thickness of the material and the size of the basket. This bodkin consists of a very thin, sharply pointed steel spike with an ash handle, and was probably made as a shoemaker’s awl. It was used at Thomas Abbey & Sons, a basketmaking firm in Selby, North Yorkshire, for fine work.

1 bodkin: steel spike and ferrule; wooden handle [ash]

The family basketmaking business of Thomas Abbey & Sons was established in 1864. Mrs Snowden’s brother (Guy Abbey), father (A. E. Abbey) and grandfather were all basketmakers in the business. Her father spent some years teaching basketmaking at the Amar Singh Technical Institute in Srinagar, Kashmir, India, and was also on the Rural Industries Bureau. When Guy Abbey died there was no one to pass the firm on to, and Mrs Snowden donated several tools [67/15–67/31] which had been in use in the family for about one hundred years., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BODKIN. // Acc. No.: 67/21 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/8578 // Place of origin: Yorks (W. R.) [West Riding] Selby // Period in use: 1865 onwards // DESCRIPTION // Materials: metal/Steel wood/Ash // Users: Thos. [Thomas] Abbey & Sons // Shape and construction: Probably made as shoe maker’s awl. Very thin & sharp. // Dimensions: L. [length] blade 1 1/2”. L. [length] handle 3” Ferrule 1 1/8” // Use: For fine work // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:'

1865-01-01

Thomas Abbey & Sons (Corporate Body)
Abbey, Guy ()
Abbey, A. E. ()
Rural Industries Bureau ()
Amar Singh Technical Institute ()
Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)