60/535/2

This paddle for a coracle is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960. It was made by J. E. Jones, a coracle maker of Cenarth, Carmarthenshire, circa 1945–6. A coracle is a small craft used for fishing, with fishermen often working in pairs using a semi-circular net. They are propelled by a paddle and can float in a few inches of water. This paddle is made of a single piece of oak and has a long, narrow blade.

1 paddle: wood (oak); good condition

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 – ‘The coracle and paddle were made by J.E. Jones, Coracle Maker, Tefan, Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire. // The coracle which is made from strips of wood covered with canvas and pitch is 62 in. long and has a seat board 36 in. wide. There is a loop attached to the seat which fits over the fisherman’s shoulders when carrying the coracle to and from the river. // A paddle is also included. This is made of a single piece of oak and is 51 in. long. The narrow blade is 3 3/4 in. wide. // See also 60/536 – coracle fisherman’s salmon net and 60/641 a club or “priest” used for killing the fish. // For a description of coracle fishing and the chief area where they are still in use see 51/13M (Transport – Water, Coracle Paddle).’, MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: CORACLE (wood & canvas) // Acc. No.: 60/535(1-2)// Group: TRANSPORT. WATER. // Neg. no.: 60/3897 // Place of origin: Wales Carmarthen // Period in use: Pre-1945 // DESCRIPTION // Strips of wood covered canvas & pitch. Willow. // Maker: J. E. Jones // Shape and construction: A boat narrower at the middle, square at bow end & round at the front. Framework of wood strips, with a border of 3-rounds of waled willow. Over all canvas is stretched & sewn over the waled edge with wire. Caulked with pitch. // Dimensions: Length: 62” Width of wooden seat across: 36” // Use: For fishing. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: Not strictly a basket. Worth mention if not cataloguing.’, MERL ‘Country Craftsmanship’ Exhibition Catalogue, 2 May–31 October 1961, ‘Introductory Note’ by Andrew Jewell – ‘The objects shown in this Exhibition of Country Craftsmanship were originally purchased by the British Council in 1946. They were selected for exhibition in Australia and New Zealand as samples of traditional handcrafts which were then being practised in the British countryside. The Museum of English Rural Life was fortunate to acquire this valuable collection from the Council and to have the opportunity of displaying such a wide variety of skills. // Almost all the crafts shown are still to be found in this country although, in the intervening fifteen years, many of the small firms and individual craftsmen whose products are represented in the Exhibition, have given up working. The number who now remain to carry on these particular traditional crafts continues to decline with the growth of mechanization, the obsolescence of their products and the difficult of finding apprentices to follow them. // All the objects on display have one characteristic in common – they were made to be used. Any aesthetic qualities which the craftsman achieved grew without self-consciousness. Over long years of apprenticeship the craftsman developed an intimate knowledge of the raw material at his disposal and its peculiarities. He acquired by inheritance the methods of his craft which may have had a continuous tradition over centuries of time. And he was quite familiar with the way in which his product was to be used. // We can derive pleasure simply by looking at the shapes and decorations. Both, however, are inseparable from function and environment, and the objects can only be most fully appreciated by an understanding of the purpose for which each was intended. // This, then, is an exhibition of everyday things, made by men and women who might not think of themselves as artists, but whose work, nevertheless, has enriched the daily life of those who live with their products.’, MERL ‘Country Craftsmanship’ Exhibition Catalogue, 2 May–31 October 1961, p.16 – '185–6. Welsh Coracle with cnocer and paddle. The coracle has a hazel and willow frame covered with tarred canvas. It is very light and can be easily carried over the shoulders by means of the loop attached to the seat. Fishermen often work in pairs using a semi-circular net (184) cast with the stream. The club or cnocer attached to the thwart is called the ‘priest’ as it helps the salmon into the next world. // (J.E. Jones, Cenarth, Carmarthenshire.)’, British Council ‘Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain’ Exhibition Catalogue, 1946, ‘Introductory Note’ – ‘This exhibition contains only examples of handicrafts that are still being practised in the British Countryside. It is confined to the work of our traditional craftsmen and women who, with very few exceptions, would not think of themselves as artists or designers but whose work, nevertheless, so greatly enriches the daily life of those who live with and use their products. The work of these craftsmen, too, provides the basis from which many artist-craftsmen gain technical knowledge and inspiration. // Included with these rural crafts are eight screens showing handicraft processes which can be undertaken by schools or adults who wish to practise a craft at home. In this way we hope these examples of Britain’s country crafts may be related to a practical aspect of present day life in the Dominions and meet the increasing need to find satisfying ways of using the leisure which machinery now makes available to us. // Along with her traditional rural crafts Great Britain seeks to employ all the resources of modern agricultural science and engineering. We have therefore included with this exhibition some photographs showing examples of recent developments in agricultural machinery.’, British Council ‘Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain’ Exhibition Catalogue, 1946, p.45 – ’84. Welsh Coracle with Cnocer and Paddle. J. E. Jones, Carmarthenshire. // This ancient form of boat, survival from pre-Roman days, is used on the rivers Towy and Teify in South Wales and on some parts of the Severn and Dee. Formerly made from hides but now from tarred canvas, stretched on a frame of willow or hazel, these boats are used chiefly for salon netting and can float in a few inches of water. The club or cnocer (Welsh) attached to the thwart is called the “priest” a it helps the salmon into the next world.’, British Council Ref. No. NZ 84.

1946-01-01 1945 - 1946

Jones, J. E. (Maker)