51/175

This is a wrought iron skimmer used for lifting out suet puddings, meat, potatoes and greens from the pot in the days when everything was cooked together. It came from a carter in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, and was made sometime before 1840.

1 skimmer: metal [wrought iron]; good conditionThe pan of the skimmer measures 7 inches in diameter and the handle 19 inches in length.

Citation in publication [H. J. Massingham, 'Country Relics' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1939)] –'My iron skimmer was for lifting out suet puddings and meat, potatoes and greens (and leaving the gravy behind) from the pot or cauldron hung from the ratchet in the days when all three were cooked together. It belonged to an old carter of Corndean Lane, near Winchcomb, and was made by his grandfather, before Jim's mother was born in 1840.' (p.208) [see also 51/54], MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This is an example of the most common type of 18th century skimmer; one with a long handle attached to a circular plate of brass, copper or tinned iron, perforated with small round holes. This one is made of wrought iron and came from a carter of Corndean Lane, near Winchcomb [sic] (Gloucestershire). It was made sometime before 1840 by gypsies who travelled about with a donkey cart and made pegs and kitchen utensils. Mr. Massingham says that the skimmer was used for lifting out suet puddings, meat, potatoes and greens from the pot in the days when everything was cooked together.', MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/175 // NAME: SKIMMER // NEG NO.: 35/89 + OTHERS // STORAGE: '

1840