[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]
68/9
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]
The brake is a basketmaking tool used for stripping the bark from a willow rod to produce white or buff willow. This brake is made to fit into a wooden post and consists of a bar of iron which divides to make a ring, with outwards curving tips and a sprung end. It was probably made by a local blacksmith in Sonning, West Berkshire. It was probably used by willow strippers employed by Samuel Hill, an osier (willow) grower in Sonning until 1939, when the business closed down.
[nb-NO]Physical description[nb-NO]
1 willow brake: iron
[nb-NO]Archival history[nb-NO]
MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BRAKE // Acc. No.: 68/9 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/9502 // Place of origin: Berkshire. Sonning Eye. // Period in use: Used until 1939. // DESCRIPTION // Materials: metal/Iron. // Shape and construction: Made to fit into a wooden post. Divides to make a ring & sprung together above. Tips curved outwards. // Dimensions: L. [length] 21 1/2” W. [width] Ring 4 1/4” // Use: For stripping brown willows for white or buff. // Further history: probably used in Sonning Eye by strippers employed by Samuel Hill – osier grower of Sonning who closed down 1939. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:'
[nb-NO]Date[nb-NO]
1900-01-01 - 1924-12-31
[nb-NO]Production period[nb-NO]
Early-twentieth century
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Material[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]External document[nb-NO]
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\68_9_cob.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_9502.tif - High resolution image