67/33

This is a three-way cleave, a basketmaking tool for splitting willow rods into three to prepare skeins. It consists of a piece of boxwood shaped to fit the palm which is extended into three brass-tipped fins which are sharpened, but not to a cutting edge. The cleave is held in the right hand while the left guides the rod. This one was used by the donor, his father and grandfather - a family of basketmakers from London.

cleave: wood, brass

This is a part of a small collection of basketmaking tools (67/32-67/40) used by the donor (William Brown), his father (James 'Joe' Brown, who worked for G. W. Scott and Sons, a basketmaking firm in London) and grandfather. Mr William Brown gives his address as the London Association for the Blind, which had a factory in Peckham and which employed blind men in the manufacture of baskets, knitting needles and injection moulded plastics., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: CLEAVE (3-way) // Acc. No.: 67/33 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/8585 // Place of origin: London. // Period in use: // DESCRIPTION // Materials: wood/box, metal/brass // User: Wm. [William] Brown // Shape and construction: Fits the palm. Box wood. Brass tip forms 3 blades. // Dimensions: L. [length] 3” // Use: For splitting a willow lengthways into 3 equal parts to make skeins. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: see also 64/156'

1967

Wood, Metal, brass

London Association for the Blind ()
Brown, James 'Joe' ()
G. W. Scott and Sons ()
Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)