82/43

Diana Rebecca Dixon (Maker)

This ear cap is made of linen with red, white and blue woollen embroidery. It was worn by the horses working in the fields to protect them from flies. It was made by Diana Rebecca Dixon, the wife of Robert Dixon who was a tenant miller and farmer at New Mill, Eversley, Hampshire, from circa 1870-1910. The cap was given to the donor by Mr Dixon. Mr Dixon's father, George Dixon, who was from Hungerford, Berkshire, was involved in agricultural riots in 1833 and came to a sudden death.

1 ear cap: linen; wool; good condition.

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Ear cap // Accession number: 82/43 // Classification: LIVESTOCK Horses ornament // Negative number: 60/15510 // Acquisition method: Gift // Acquired from, date: Mrs Ockenden, [...], 3.11.82 // Store: Small objects // Condition: Good // Recorder, date: DJE. 3.11.82 // Description: Ear caps of linen, embroidered with red, white and blue wool. The caps have three 'bobbles' each and there are another two between the caps. At each end there are two lengths of braid, one red, one purple. // Dimensions: Length (without braid) - 36cms (aprox.) // Associated information: These ear caps were made by Diana Rebecca Dixon, wife of Robert Dixon, who was a tenant miller and farmer at New Mill, Eversley c1870-1910. // Ear caps were worn by the horses in the fields to protect them from flies. // References:', Letter, Mrs J. Ockenden to MERL, date unknown – 'These embroidered articles were for placing over horses ears, to protect from flies whilst working in the fields. They were handed down to me from MR. ROBERT DIXON, a tenant-miller and farmer* at NEW MILL, EVERSLEY from about 1870 to 1910. // The articles were hand-made and embroidered by his wife DIANA REBECCA DIXON. // Dixon's father was Geo. Dixon of Hungerford who was involved in agricultural riots in 1833 and came to a 'sudden death'. // *small farm attached to mill.'

Eversley

Fibre, flax, Fibre, wool

Stitched, Embroidered