60/685/1-2

R. W. Rich (Manufacturer)

A hame is the rigid frame of a horse's harness and would be attached to a padded leather collar. These two hames are made of ash which has been steamed and set to the correct shape. Each hame has a hole drilled at the top and bottom. They were made at R. W. Rich’s Steam Wood Works of East Hoathly, East Sussex, circa 1945–6, and are part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960.

pair of hames: wood (ash)

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 – ‘These hames are a pair made of ash for farm use at R.W. Rich, Steam Wood Works, East Hoathly, Sussex. // The hames which are steamed and set in the correct curves are 29 1/2 in. long and the timber used is 1 3/8 in. thick. Each hame has one hole drilled at the bottom and another on the outward curve at the top.’, 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.11 – 'A.2. Wooden Hames (ash) for farm use. R. W. Rich, Sussex.', British Council Ref. No. NZ A2

East Hoathly

1945 - 1946