63/553

A bodkin is a tool used by basketmakers for a variety of jobs, from opening out the weave to insert a rod or handle, to putting stakes in at the bottom, and therefore come in a many different sizes according to the work. This is a shell bodkin, used for leading one rod or bow down into the weaving of a basket or hamper. It is a long, curved, gouge-shaped tool with a steel point and an ash handle. It was collected by the donor's father, who was interested in rural crafts. The donor's father was one of the Bushell Brothers, Charlie and Joseph, who ran a canal boat building and repair business at Gannel in New Mill, Tring, on the Wendover Arm Canal, until their retirement in 1952. They also did general coach-building.

1 bodkin: steel stem [curved]; ash handle

An existing description on Adlib, different from that on the MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form said 'for weaving new withy rods into old baskets during basket repair work'., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BODKIN (shell) // Acc. No.: 63/553 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD. BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/8535 // Place of origin: ? // Period in use: ? // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Ash handle. Steel point. // Condition: Handle split. 1963. // Shape and construction: A long curved gouge-shaped tool. // Dimensions: L. [length] point: 9 1/4” L. [length] handle: 4” // Use: For leading one rod or bow down into weaving of a basket or hamper. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:', MERL Miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 1 March 2013 – The Bushell Brothers, Charlie and Joseph, ran a canal boat building and repair business at Gannel in New Mill, Tring, on the Wendover Arm Canal. The business was founded by their father, Joseph Bushell Senior, in 1875. They took over its running in 1912, and the business closed in 1952 when they retired. This Collection comprises tools and other objects used at Bushell Brothers, as well as other various old tools that one of the Bushell brothers, who was always interested in rural crafts, collected druing his retirement. The majority of the Collection was donated by the daugther of one of the Bushell brothers, while other items were donated by a former employee.

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)
Bushell, Joseph (Senior)
Bushell, Joseph
Bushell, Charlie