60/438/1-5

Trug,

Thomas Smith & Son (Maker)

These five pieces – three willow slats, a chestnut frame and a chestnut handle – are parts of a trug, a basket widely used for gardening. Trugs 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, and these samples were was made post-1945 at Thomas Smith & Sons in Herstmonceux. They are part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council.

5 pieces of a trug: 3 slats, 1 rim frame and 1 handle

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 – ‘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)’, 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, ‘Screen M. Making a Trug Basket’, p.18 –‘Trug baskets, made only in or near Herstmonceux in Sussex, are widely used for gardening and for the harvest of fruit and vegetable crops. The derivation of the name is obscure, possibly a variation of the word “trough.”’, British Council ‘Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain’ Exhibition Catalogue, 1946, p.18 – ’M.1 Piece of Willow. Thomas Smith & Sons, Sussex. [missing] // M.2 Three Willow Slats. Thomas Smith & Sons, Sussex. // M.3 Piece of Chestnut. Thomas Smith & Sons, Sussex. [missing] // M.4 Chestnut Frame and Handle. Thomas Smith & Sons, Sussex.', British Council Ref. No. NZ M1/4.

Herstmonceux

1945 - 1946

Basket, gardening, Sample

Wood, willow, Wood, chestnut