51/594

This barley fork is one of a pair, of which one is listed in Lavinia Smith's catalogue as being over 100 years old (in the 1940s). This three-pronged fork was used either for collecting mown barley into sheaves in the harvest field, or for stirring up sprouting grain in the malt house.

1 barley fork: wooden handle; metal head (iron); good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This fork is one of a pair collected by Miss Smith from an unknown source. One of the two is said to be over 100 years old. // It has a wooden handle 5 ft. 1 inch long which is stamped with the word Wantage, obviously the place where it was made. The iron head is three pronged, the two main prongs measuring 17.5 inches in length, and fitting into the tip of the handle, and the third measuring 7 inches in length and secured to the handle by an iron ring 1.5 inches in length. // See also 51/3. The other fork in the pair is 51/593L.', Lavinia Smith No. 394., Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 393-394. Two barley forks, one about 100 years old'

Wantage

Wood, Metal, iron

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)