51/593

This barley fork is one of a pair, of which one is listed in Lavinia Smith's catalogue as being over 100 years old (in the 1940s). This three-pronged fork was used either for collecting mown barley into sheaves in the harvest field, or for stirring up sprouting grain in the malt house.

1 barley fork: metal; wood; good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This barley fork is one of a pair collected by Miss Smith from an unknown source. She states in her catalogue that one of the two is over 100 years old. // This three-pronged pike was used either for collecting mown barley into sheaves in the harvest field, or for stirring up sprouting grain in the malt house. It consists of a wooden turned handle, 4 feet 7 inches in length and an iron head with two prongs 20 inches long fitted into the top of the handle, and a third 14 inches long fitted to the handle 1 inch below the top by a ring of metal 1.5 inches long. // See also 51/3. The other fork in the pair is 51/594L.', Lavinia Smith No. 393., Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 393-394. Two barley forks, one about 100 years old'

Wood, Metal

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)