Object number
51/571
Collection
Description
This is an umbrella of the type used by shepherds and Lavinia Smith probably acquired it from a shepherd in the East Hendred area, Oxfordshire (formerly Berkshire). It is made of blue cotton, reinforced at the top with a second layer of cotton, with wooden ribs and a turned wooden handle.
Physical description
1 shepherd's umbrella: good condition
Label Text
Umbrella. This umbrella was acquired by Lavinia Smith, likely from a shepherd in the East Hendred area in Oxfordshire. It then formed a part of the Lavinia Smith Collection and was displayed to visitors at her home in Downside. The umbrella is made from blue cotton with a wooden frame and handle. Shepherds were fully exposed to the elements throughout their daily work. It is possible that this umbrella was used during the drastically wet summer of 1879, which saw nearly double the average rainfall. This weather contributed to the ongoing Great Agricultural Depression of 1873-1896.
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Nothing is known of the origin of this umbrella, though it is likely that Miss Smith obtained it from one of the shepherds who lived in the neighbourhood of East Hendred (Berks). // It is the traditional umbrella used by shepherds in the Downs to shelter themselves from the weather as they watched their flocks. // This one is made of the usual blue cotton with wooden ribs and a turned wooden handle. The apex is reinforced with a second layer of cotton, so that the rain would not penetrate the material at the point where the handle protrudes. There is a brass ring through the top by which the umbrella could be hung up. // It measures 3 feet 9 inches in length, and is about 4.5 feet in diameter when open.', No Lavinia Smith No. recorded.
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Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\35 series negatives\Scans\35_507.tif - High resolution image
