60/769

Trug,

Thomas Smith & Son (Manufacturer)

This small oval trug (size 2) has a chestnut frame and handle, with willow slats and copper nails. Trugs, widely used in gardening, are an unusual type of basket in that they are ‘assembled’ rather than woven, the pieces being nailed together. This trug was used for picking strawberries and soft fruits. Nearly all trug baskets are made in Hertsmonceux, East Sussex. The making of trugs was revived in the first quarter of the nineteenth century by Thomas Smith, and this basket was made post-1945 at Thomas Smith & Sons in Herstmonceux. It is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960.

1 trug: chestnut, willow, metal [copper]

MERL miscellaneous note, B. L. 22 March 1961 – ‘The British Council collection. // This collection of material which is covered by the accession numbers 60/430 to 60/791 contains examples of craft products made in the British Isles. The major part of the collection was prepared immediately after the Second World War for a travelling exhibition which was sent to Australia and New Zealand. // The collection was purchased for a nominal sum by the Museum in two portions, the one in the summer of 1960 and the other in February 1961. // For further details see the individual catalogue cards and the catalogue prepared for the temporary exhibition of the collection.’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘A small oval trug basket (size 2). Length 10 1/4 inches; total height including handle, 6 3/4 inches. // From: Thomas Smith and Sons, Herstmonceux, Sussex. // See 60/438/1–5 for an account of the construction of trug baskets.’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card [60/438/1–5] – ‘Trug baskets are strictly localised in manufacture, but are certainly not so in use. Nearly all trug baskets are made at Hurstmonceaux [sic] in Sussex. The derivation of the term may be from ‘trough’ or possibly from the Anglo-Saxon ‘troog’, a boat. The shape shown in these examples is the traditional one which dates from at least the sixteenth century, but other shapes have been adopted such as the bowl-shaped type made by A.F. Rich of East Hoathly for stable or feeding baskets. Other types have been constructed for coal scuttles or have been made into ‘cauls’ for wood, besides the more delicate ladies’ work baskets, and the ‘fruit pickers’ mounted on walking sticks. // The framework of chestnut or ash rods is prepared by splitting a rod into two parts. The inner surface is shaped, but the bark is left on the outer convex one. The rods are then steamed and bent into two ovals, the one for the rim and the other for the handle.The ovals are then placed at right angles to each other and are nailed together. // The body of the basket is constructed from willow wood of the White or Crack varieties; the logs having been cross cut are then split repeatedly to the central core until a series of strips about 1/8 in. in thickness is obtained. The strips are shaped with knives and draw knives which are held in a simple vice or ‘horse’ designed for the purpose. When the strips have been shaped in crescentic sections they are passed through the framework so that they overlap from top to bottom, and are nailed to the rim. Cross pieces of willow are usually added at the bottom for stability. Sawn and planed willow is now used by some makers. Sizes of baskets may vary from eight inches to four feet. // See: E.M. Stowe. Crafts of the countryside, Longmans, 1948, pp.17–22. // H.L. Edlin. Woodland crafts in Britain, Batsford 1956, p.113 & plates 11 & 112. // Smith’s catalogue – ‘Smith’s famous Sussex trugs.’ (in Classified Information)’, MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BASKET (TRUG) // Acc. No.: 60/769 // Group: GARDENS. TOOLS. // Neg. no.: 60/3702 // Place of origin: Sussex. Herstmonceux. // Period in use: // Collection: British Council // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Chestnut rim & handle. Willow boards. Copper nails. // Shape and construction: traditional trug shape // Dimensions: Length top: 9 1/2” Width: 4 1/2” Height standing 3 1/2” // made by the traditional trug principle // Use: Picking strawberries & soft fruits // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: // Maker: Thos [Thomas] Smith & Sons, Hurstmonceux [Herstmonceux], Sussex. ', British Council Ref. No. Not known.

Herstmonceux

1945 - 1960

Wood, willow, Wood, chestnut, Metal, copper

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)