Numero oggetto
77/321
Titolo
Trug,
Descrizione
This is a traditional trug basket. Trugs, widely used in gardening, are an unusual type of basket in that they are ‘assembled’ rather than woven, the pieces being nailed together. 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. It was collected by the donor when he worked as an auctioneer, but not used by him.
Descrizione fisica
1 trug basket: wood
Storico archivio
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)’
Data
1977
Nome oggetto
Materiale
Documento esterno
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_13804.tif - High resolution image
