2003/30

Sutton & Sons Ltd (Manufacturer)

This is a vasculum, a botanical storage case, containing samples of grasses and seeds. It consists of a black lacquered metal box with a hinged lid, containing samples of grasses and small glass tubes containing seeds. It is one of a variety of educational cabinets produced by Suttons Seeds for use in agricultural colleges, schools, museums etc. It dates from the early 20th century. It belonged to the donor's husband, a furniture restorer in Hoxne, Suffolk.

1 vasculum: good condition

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'VASCULUM, SUTTON'S // Description // 1 Vasculum: containing grasses & seeds // Black metal box with hinged lid. Inside are many samples of grasses and grass seeds. The gass seeds are contained in small glass tubes around the edge of the box, whilst grasses still on their stalks lie along the middle compartment. Inside the lid is a fold-out piece of paper giving details of the grasses. // - Early C20th // Associated information // Origin unknown. Previously belonged to Mr. D. Weller (d.200), furniture restorer and [timber?] expert // These boxes were 'Educational Cabinets... for Agricultural Colleges, Schools, Museums, Agricultural Lecturers, &c.' // They were used for teaching purposes.', Photocopy of archive item [Sutton's Gold Medal Educational Cabinets] – '[image] // No. 7. // Collection of 36 species of Useful and Useless Grasses, also 60 glass bottles of the seeds of Grass and other Agricultural crops, in Japanned Vasculum with brass handle and fittings...'

Reading

1900-01-01 - 1924-12-31

Early-twentieth century

Metal, Glass, Plant fibre, Seed, Paper

Sutton & Sons Ltd (Corporate Body)