68/1

Hooded cradle, or ‘Moses basket’, an example of lipwork. Possibly made by a member of the Hughes family, Boxford (West Berkshire) in about 1770.
This hooded basketwork cradle, or ‘Moses basket’, is an example of lipwork, being made of straw and bound with briar. It is presumed to have been made by a member of the Hughes family, the family of the donor’s wife, in Boxford (West Berkshire) in about 1770 and used by the family until the nineteenth century. It is worn on the upper corner, possibly suggesting that a foot was used to rock it.

1 cradle: straw, briar

Letter, Enquirer to MERL, 18 April 1968 - 'I wonder if a Moses cradle in good condition would be of interest to the Museum? [...] The cradle is not here but in the village in the house where it was made a lovely old 500 year old cottage. The owner is selling and 'clearing out' and I begged him not to burn it until I had written to someone who might preserve it.', MERL Recording form – ‘Who used it: The Hughes family // When was it used: Hughes family from 1770-18? // How was it used: For babies // Where was it used: in cottage // Has it a local name: // When this object was used do you know if it was common in many parts of the country or only in the place from which it came: Only seen in village or locality // Who made it: We assume a member of the Hughes family // When was it made: Unknown but presumed to be 100 years or more old. // Where was it made: In Boxford // From what materials is the object made: Straw made into narrow swathes and bound together by dried briar rinds (as with bee skeps). // Is it corroded or broken or damaged in any other way: No // What are its approximate measurements: 4ft long 2 ft wide hood 2 ft high // Have you a photograph of the object: No // Has it any unusual characteristics: // Additional information: Worn on corner as if a foot rocked it. // Could you please make a rough sketch of the object: [drawing]‘, MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: CRADLE (baby moses, basketwork) // Acc. No.: 68/1 // Group: DOMESTIC. FURNISHING furniture // Neg. no.: 60/10058 // Place of origin: Berkshire // Period in use: 1770–1900 // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Straw. Briar. // Shape and construction: Rounded bottom. Lipwork. Hood. It was on rockers, holes visible. // Dimensions: LB. [length of bottom] 39” W.B. [width of bottom] 14” D. [depth] 10” D. [depth] hood. 18” // Use: Probably rocked with the foot – upper corner worn. // Dialect names: Moses basket // Distribution: // Additional notes:'

Boxford [West Berkshire [unitary authority]]

1750-01-01 - 1799-12-31

Eighteenth century, second half

Cradle, Basketwork

Plant fibre, straw, Plant fibre

Huntley, Mrs Elsie M. (Agent)
Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)