Object number
51/595
Collection
Exhibition
Description
Yokes were used for carrying buckets, most commonly in the dairy. The arched cut out shape in the wooden body fits around the carrier's neck.
Yokes like this were used for carrying buckets about the farms, most commonly in the dairy. The yoke was carried on the shoulders and the buckets hung on the chains at either end. The arched cut out shape in the wooden body fits around the carrier's neck, and the chain attachments are fixed so that the one on the left projects forwards and that on the right backwards.
Physical description
1 yoke: wood; metal (iron); damaged state
Label Text
3. Milk Yoke. Cows might be milked by hand in the field or in the farm buildings. Either way, the milk itself then had to be carried to the dairy, which was often attached to the farmhouse. The wooden yoke was an effective way of carrying two heavy buckets of milk without slopping. It rested across the top of the shoulders and then the buckets were attached to the chains at each side. This one was used in Berkshire into the early twentieth century. 51/595.4. Milk Yoke. Cows might be milked by hand in the field or in the farm buildings. Either way, the milk itself then had to be carried to the dairy, which was often attached to the farmhouse. The wooden yoke was an effective way of carrying two heavy buckets of milk without slopping. It rested across the top of the shoulders and then the buckets were attached to the chains at each side. This one was used in Berkshire into the early twentieth century. 51/595.
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Nothing is known of the origin of this yoke. // The yoke has been broken across in two places at some time and has been patched with two pieces of iron. The one which would be against the wearer is held on by 6 screws and the one on the other side which is larger is held on by 9 screws. // A piece of metal has been screwed onto the left side of the yoke to prevent the chain attachment from falling off the rotten wood at the end of the yoke and two nails driven into the wood at an angle are also for this purpose. The chain attachments are fixed so that the one on the left projects forwards and that on the right backwards. // The chains are 33 inches long, and each has a small hook 7 inches from the top. The yoke is 33.2 inches in length. See also 51/375', Lavinia Smith No. 401., Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 401-402. Two Milk yokes.' (The other yoke referred to is 51/596), Heritage of the Hendreds Exhibition 1969 - 'Catalogue of Exhibits // Number 335 // Two Milk Yokes // Lent by MERL Miss Smith c.'
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