61/14/1-2

This is a basket with an internal (separate) pottery jar. The basket is round and has a hinged lid which can be fastened with a loop and wooden peg mechanism. It has a roped handle, and was used for carrying small quantities of butter or other produce to market for sale. The basket covering helped to keep the produce inside cool. It was probably returned by the customer after use for refilling. This type of basket was in fairly general use in the Midlands up until the early twentieth century.

1 jar and basket cover: willow, wood, pottery

Letter, John Slee to Andrew Jewell, 30 November 1960 – ‘BUTTER CARRIER – 18th and 19th centuries. // This was in fairly general use in rural districts in the Midlands up to fifty years ago, i.e. before the age of the motor-car as a popular means of transport. Country people often took in small quantities of butter, among other produce, to sell in the town on market day. It may have been sold in these carriers which were probably returnable – the customer bringing it back for refilling each week. Whether it was carried by a pedestrian or by a rider on a horse, or in a cart or gig, it was a very convenient article. The wicker covering kept the butter safe and cool.’, MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: JAR (cover, basketwork) // Acc. No.: 61/14/1–2 // Group: MARKETING. DAIRY. Produce butter // Neg. no.: 60/3714 // Place of origin: Rutland. // Period in use: Up to 55 years ago. // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Fine white willow rod & skeined buff ties & wooden peg. White pottery lining. // Shape and construction: A jar fitting into round basket covering with a thick cover (lid). This is fitted with a roped handle & willow hinge & loop fastening with a wooden beg. All waling is done with rods & the randing on bottom, side & cover is skeined. 2 rounds upsett. // Dimensions: Height 5” Diameter: 4 1/4”. BS. [number of bottom sticks] 10 1/2. St. [number of stakes] 23. LS. [leagues] 10 1/2. Body wale at 4”. Lid sticks make cover edge in a trac & sts. [stakes] do the same above the body work. // Use: For carrying small quantities of butter, among other produce, to sell in the town on market day. Probably returnable – perhaps the customer bought it back for refilling each week. // Dialect names: // Distribution: Fairly general in rural districts of the Midlands. // Additional notes: Example of fine English skeinwork. // Other butter marketing baskets see cards. also on scales.'

1911 - 1911

Jar, butter, Cover, jar, Basketwork

Ceramic, Wood, Wood, willow

Basketry, stake and strand, Glazed

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)