67/37

A bodkin is a tool used by basketmakers for a variety of jobs, from opening out the weave to insert a rod or handle, to putting stakes in at the bottom, and therefore come in a many different sizes according to the work. This is a shell bodkin, used for small work such as inserting handles and fastenings into the weaving of a basket or hamper. It is a small, straight, gouge-shaped tool with a steel point and an ash handle. This one was used by the donor and his father - a family of basketmakers from London - and is believed to date from the 1860s.

1 bodkin: metal, wood

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: BODKIN (shell) // Acc. No.: 67/37 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/8598 // Place of origin: London // Period in use: 1800–1920 // DESCRIPTION // Materials: metal/steel, wood/ash // User: Wm. [William] Brown // Shape and construction: A small pointed gouge-shape. Straight. // Dimensions: L. [length] blade 3 3/4” L. [length] handle 3 1/4” // Use: For small work, putting in handles & fastenings. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:'

1880 - 1967

Metal, steel, Wood, ash

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