91/38

Devon splint,

Jack Rowsell (Manufacturer)

This size No.5 Devon splint basket is made of pine splints attached to an elm base and with an ash rim and handle. There is another ash band around the base and one round the middle of the basket. This type of basket was traditionally used in the fields, to take feed to cattle and to collect potatoes and apples after harvesting. Jack Rowsell, who made this basket, learnt the craft from his father; they used to make the baskets in their spare time, rather than as a primary profession.

1 basket: wood [ash, pine, elm]

Mr. Rowsell has been making these baskets for 40 years and learnt the craft from his father. Although the baskets are not used in the fields anymore he still makes 25-50 a year which he sells. Mr. Rowsell was one of the last people to make Devon splint baskets and died in 1997., MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: DEVON SPLINT BASKET // Accession number: 91/38 // … // Recorder: JMB // Date: 19.9.91 // Description: Basket made of pine splints attached to elm base and with ash rim and handle. There is another ash band round the base and one round the middle of the basket. // Dimensions: Top: 55 x 37 cms // Height: 36.0 cms // Base: 36 x 22 cms // Associated information: See also Acc. No. 88/16 // Mr Rowsell has been making these baskets for 40 years and learnt the craft from his father. Although the baskets are not used in the fields any more he still makes from 25–50 a year which he sells. // SIZE No. 5 BASKET // Other negs. Of basket 35/29079–29084 // Contact prints of jigs & tools: Neg. Nos. 35/29105–11 // References: See also Neg. No. 35/25602 MERL OC card index and photo library.’

Tiverton [Devon]

1991 - 1991

Basket, feeding, Basket, potato

Wood, ash, Wood, pine, Wood, elm