Object number
68/10
Description
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.
Physical description
1 brake: metal (iron)
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BRAKE // Acc. No.: 68/10 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/9501 // Place of origin: Berkshire. Sonning Eye. // Period in use: prior to 1939 // DESCRIPTION // Materials: metal/Iron // Shape and construction: // Dimensions: 20” L. [length] W. [width] Ring 3 1/2” // Use: see 68/9. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:'
Production date
1900-01-01 - 1924-12-31
Production period
Early-twentieth century
Object name
Material
Dimensions
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\68_10_cob.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_9501.tif - High resolution image
