60/456

Molly,

Land ladies: Women and farming in England 1900–1945, All Work and Low Pay: The story of women and work

Worthing Women's Institute (Manufacturer)

This potato basket, also known as a ‘Molly’, and was used for gathering harvested potatoes. They were made by the Worthing Women’s Institute in West Sussex during World War II. It is a round basket, made of alternate bands of white and buff willow, with two finger-holes on each side. The basket is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council.

1 basket: willow (white and buff)

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 card' (Museum of Rural Life) - ' BASKET (POTATO) // DATE ACQUIRED: Nov. 1960 // GROUP: HARVESTING - ROOTS lifting potato ['lifting potato' scored through] // NEGATIVE: 60/3686 // PERIOD: 1939-45 // PLACE OF ORIGIN: British Council // NUMBER: 60/456 // DESCRIPTION: The potato basket of this pattern is also known as a "Molly." This type was made by the Worthing W. I. during the Second World War. // The circular basket is made of peeled willow. The diameter of the top is 17 in. and it is 11 in. deep. The continuous close weaving of the sides is interrupted at two points just below the rim to provide hand holds. The willow woven on the sides is coloured alternately red and white in sections. // From: The Worthing Women's Institute. // See general card on basket making. [page break] [photographic copy print of artefact].', MERL 'Handwritten catalogue' form – 'Basket (Potato) ['Potato' scored through] // (Harvesting - Roots) Lifting potato // 60/456 // neg. 60/3686. // The British Council // Known as a 'Molly'. Peeled willow. Made by the Worthing Women's Institute. This type of basket was made by the Worthing W.I. during the war 1939/45 // [pencil sketch]', MERL OLIB database note – 'Basket known as a 'Molly', as made by Worthing Women's Institute during WWII', MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BASKET, Potato (Worthing W.I.) // Acc. No.: 60/456 // Group: Harvesting. Roots // Neg. no.: 60/3686 // Place of origin: SUSSEX // Period in use: 1939–1945 // British Council // DESCRIPTION // Materials: White & buff willow. // Shape and construction: Round basket. Paired bottom. Slewed sides in bands of buff & white. 2 finger holes each side under the border. Border: 5-behind-2, bound twice. 5 sticks + 1. 23 stakes. 5 rounds upset. 1 round pairing at top & bottom of finger holes. // Dimensions: Diam. top: 15” Height: 10 1/2” // Use: For gathering potatoes. Made by the Worthing Women’s Institute during the War 1929–1945. // 28 x 44 x 31 cm (height x dia. at top x dia. at base) // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: See S & Pr. [Basketmakers’ Lists of Sizes and Prices of Work] 1945. p.79 exact spec. [specification]', MERL ‘Country Craftsmanship’ Exhibition Catalogue, 2 May–31 October 1961, ‘Introductory Note’ by Andrew Jewell – ‘The objects shown in this Exhibition of Country Craftsmanship were originally purchased by the British Council in 1946. They were selected for exhibition in Australia and New Zealand as samples of traditional handcrafts which were then being practised in the British countryside. The Museum of English Rural Life was fortunate to acquire this valuable collection from the Council and to have the opportunity of displaying such a wide variety of skills. // Almost all the crafts shown are still to be found in this country although, in the intervening fifteen years, many of the small firms and individual craftsmen whose products are represented in the Exhibition, have given up working. The number who now remain to carry on these particular traditional crafts continues to decline with the growth of mechanization, the obsolescence of their products and the difficult of finding apprentices to follow them. // All the objects on display have one characteristic in common – they were made to be used. Any aesthetic qualities which the craftsman achieved grew without self-consciousness. Over long years of apprenticeship the craftsman developed an intimate knowledge of the raw material at his disposal and its peculiarities. He acquired by inheritance the methods of his craft which may have had a continuous tradition over centuries of time. And he was quite familiar with the way in which his product was to be used. // We can derive pleasure simply by looking at the shapes and decorations. Both, however, are inseparable from function and environment, and the objects can only be most fully appreciated by an understanding of the purpose for which each was intended. // This, then, is an exhibition of everyday things, made by men and women who might not think of themselves as artists, but whose work, nevertheless, has enriched the daily life of those who live with their products.’, MERL ‘Country Craftsmanship’ Exhibition Catalogue, 2 May–31 October 1961, p.21 – ’237. Potato Basket or Molly // (Worthing Women's Institute.)', 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.42 – ’35. Potato "Molly," peeled willow. Worthing Women's Institute, Sussex.', British Council Ref. No. NZ 35.

Worthing [West Sussex]

1939 - 1946

Wood, willow, buff, Wood, willow, white

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)