Object number
79/46/1-2
Description
Housemaid's box tapering to base with iron brackets painted black. 'The Holborn' Housemaid's Box H. A. G. & Co Ltd. London '.
This is a housemaid's box made of wood (pine/softwood) four sided, tapering to base with iron brackets painted black, two to each corner. It has an iron handle, also painted black and a removable tray which fits into the top, and has three compartments. It has a red paper label on one side 'The Holborn' (regd. trade mark) Housemaid's Box H. A. G. & Co Ltd. London '. The donor believes this was used in the household of her husband's mother, who was brought up at Wood Hall, Burgess.
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Housemaid's box // Mrs Taylor, London Road, Reading // Description: Housemaid's box made of wood (pine/softwood) four sided, tapering to base with iron brackets painted black, two to each corner. Iron handle, also painted black and a removeable tray which fits into the top, and has three compartments. Red paper label on one side 'The Holborn' (regd. trade mark) Housemaid's Box H. A. G. & Co Ltd. London // Associated information: A housemaid's box was invaluable in cleaning the grates in a large house.'This was made of wood or japanned metal, the bottom being used for collecting the cinders from the five; the divided tray which fitted in the top held various brushes, a stove polish such as 'zebo' and cleaning cloths'. The donor believes this was used in the household of her husband's mother, who was brought up at Wood Hall, Burgess.'
Object name
Associated subject