61/238

This is a log or faggot fork used in Cornwall for handling faggots of brush wood for burning in a dome-shaped 'cloam' oven.
This is a log fork, also known as a faggot fork. It was used in Cornwall for handling faggots of brush wood for burning in a 'cloam' oven (a dome-shaped fired clay oven built into a wall, used in Devon and Cornwall).

1 fork: metal

MERL 'Handwritten catalogue' form – 'FORK (LOG) // See recording notes attached. // [pencil sketch] // Iron', MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'Name of object // "Faggot fork" // Description of use to which it was put... // This object was brought to the Museum by Mr Grigg of Mortimer West End who collected it from the owner at Penvergate fm. // He reports that it was used as a fire iron for handling faggots of brush wood for burning in a 'cloam' oven (in Devon or Cornwall + probably elsewhere the 'cloam' was a fired clay oven, dome-shaped + built into a wall + had the virtue of being replaceable [pencil sketch] // Note its resemblance to the 'log forks' on exhibition by Denny + David Brown. // Query. Was the handle once longer cut off at some later date? Or did it possibly have wooden shaft // [pencil sketch] // Description // Wrought iron. Every appearance of being local blacksmith made. // [pencil sketch]'