60/711

This caving, or 'keeving', fork is a tool used in threshing to remove the cavings - stalks which are somewhere in length between straw and chaff. It has a square steel head with three prongs and a curved bar which acts as a rest for the straw when the load is carried. The handle is made of ash. This fork is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960. It was probably made circa 1945–60.

1 fork: metal, wood

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 – ‘The fork is used for moving cavings on the threshing floor. // Total length: 50 in. // Length of each of three curved prongs: 17 1/2 in. // Total distance between outer prongs: 18 in. // The handle is made of ash and the prongs of steel. A piece of curved steel is fitted to the shoulder of the fork to serve as a rest for the straw whilst a load is being carried.’, British Council Ref. No. Not known.

1945 - 1960

Metal, Wood