68/457

A basketwork winnowing fan for separating the corn from the chaff after threshing. Made of willow on an ash foundation with 2 curved handles.
This is a basketwork winnowing fan for separating the corn from the chaff after it was threshed. The grain was put into the shallow scallop shell-shaped basket and thrown up into a draught of air so that the chaff was blown away. The fan has a flat front and a raised back to prevent the corn falling out. This basket is made of willow on an ash slat foundation and has two curved ash handles.

1 winnowing fan: willow, wood (ash), cane

The Sharp Collection of agricultural and dairying equipment [68/31–81, 68/101–165, 68/198, 68/457] was compiled by Reverend C. J. Sharpe at Wonersh, Surrey. Reverend Sharp died in 1967 and the Museum acquired the Collection for £60 in 1968., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: WINNOWING FAN (basketwork) // Acc. No.: 68/457 // Group: THRESHING. Hand // Neg. no.: 60/9027 // Place of origin: // Period in use: // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Willow. Ash. Edge over-sewn with cane (this may be a repair) // Shape and construction: Traditional shape. Willow on ash slat foundation. Stout rim at the back. Two ash handles. // Dimensions: L. [length] 54 ins W. [width] 30” D. [depth] Back. 11” // Use: For winnowing corn. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: // Collection: Sharp'

Winnowing fan, Basketwork

Wood, willow, Wood, ash, Plant fibre, rattan

Sharp, J. (Agent)
Ford, Harris & Co. (Agent)
Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)