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Johnston Umbrellas Limited (Manufacturer)

This cudgel, a basic hand weapon, is part of a large collection of traditional craft products which were made circa 1945–6 and acquired from the British Council in 1960. It was made by Johnston Umbrellas Limited, stick and umbrella makers of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and was known locally a ‘shillelagh’. It is made from blackthorn, with a gnarled joint of twisted blackthorn forming the head, and has a simple thong drawn through a hole to hang it by.

1 cudgel: 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 – ‘This weapon, known in Ireland as a “shillelagh”, is made from blackthorn. Its total length is 19 1/2 in. The handle has a simple thong drawn through a hole to hang it by. The head is a gnarled joint of twisted blackthorn which has been polished where cut. // From: Johnston Umbrellas Limited, 35 High Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland.’, 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, p.18 – 'M.7. Shillelagh, blackthorn. Johnston Umbrellas Ltd., Belfast.', British Council Ref. No. NZ M7.

Belfast

1945 - 1946