51/664

Knife boxes were very common in farmhouse kitchens where they were hung on the wall and were used for keeping knives clean, dry and free from rust. This rosewood box is rectangular, with a lid, and has a hole in the top by which it could be hung up.

1 knife box: wood (rosewood)

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'The origin of this knife box is unknown. // It is made of rosewood. It is a plain, rectangular box, made to be hung up on the wall by the hole in the top. The lid fits into two grooves at the front so that it can be pushed up for access to the inside of the box, but need not be removed altogether. It is a later addition. // The box measures 12.75 inches by 4 inches and the back is 17.25 inches in height. // See also 51/662L.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // Small articles on the Wood Table // 110-112 Three knife boxes, one being "Aunt PollyStibb's" [sic]' (Could be part of a trio with 51/771/1-2 or 51/662), Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) [page 42] - 'No. 110-112 // [pencil sketch] // Knife box in which the best knives were kept', Heritage of the Hendreds Exhibition 1969 - 'Catalogue of Exhibits // Number 50 // Knife Box // Lent by Museum of English Rural Life' (The catalogue description could also refer to 51/771/1-2 and 51/662)

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)