2011/13

This coal scuttle consists of an iron frame and handle, both with a basketwork cover made of willow (and possibly some flat band cane) using the stake-and-strand method. It is believed to date from the 1950s and stood on the veranda outside the dining room at a house in Boars Hill, Oxfordshire, for many years. It was presented to the donor, a collector of baskets, as a gift in 2000.

Coal scuttle with basketwork cover: metal, white and skeined willow, cane

MERL ‘Stakeholders’ recording form, December 2013 – Object number: 2011/13 // Name of recorder: Hilary Burns and Sarah Le Breton // General construction method: Stake and strand // Overall shape: Round – made over a metal ‘bucket’ with a spout that is riveted on; no basketry on the bottom // Materials: Willow, white? and maybe some flat band cane // Base: – // Sides: Stakes 27 – but 31 by the time it reaches the border as 4 are added at the spout. 3 rows of waling – on side, followed by single-rod randing. At one stage this looks like flat cane (near the centre) then extra stakes are added to accommodate the spout. 2 rows of waling at top before border. // Border: Plait border. 2-pair plait goes round the rim of the bucket – not including the spout. Trac (over 2 under 1) at base. // Handles: Lapped with skeined willow over a metal handle. // Lid: – // Dimensions: Height 9”. Diameter at rim 13”. Diameter at base 8¼”. Height 9¼” // Anything else to note about this particular basket: – // Anything else to note about this type of basket: –, MERL ‘Object Accession Form’ – ‘Short description (free text): Basketry-covered coal scuttle with handle. // ... // Physical description (free text): Rounded metal (iron) coal scuttle with metal (iron) handle, affixed by looping handle ends through metal ring attached to bowl. Scuttle and handle both basketry-covered, made from willow by stake and strand method. Handle appears semi-circular in profile. Slight lip to rim. Rim forms full circle around scuttle but metal bowl has large, basketry-covered mouth. // … // Associated information (free text): This coal scuttle was originally acquired by Felicity Wood in 2000. It had come from the home of Lady Helen Waterhouse, Overshott, Badger Lane, Boars Hill, which had also been the home of Lady Helen's in-laws and was built in 1950s. The scuttle had always sat on a covered veranda just outside the dining room. It was presented to Felicity Wood as a gift by Lady Helen's daughter, Eleanor. The scuttle itself most likely dates from the 1950s...’, Felicity Wood No. 101.

1950-01-01 - 1959-12-31

1950s

Scuttle, coal, Basketwork

Metal, Wood, willow, white, Wood, willow, Plant fibre, rattan

Burns, Hilary (Recorder)
Le Breton, Sarah (Recorder)