51/106

The last of 3 stages in making an iron ladle used by blacksmiths for molten metal.
This is the last of three stages in making an iron ladle used by blacksmiths for molten metal. The smith begins with a round bar of wrought iron (stage one) which is beaten out into the shape of a flat handle tapering at the end to a point and a flat round head (stage two). This tapered end is then bent into a ring so that the ladle can be hung up, and the flat head is beaten into a cup shape with a lip at one side (stage three). The donor commissioned the three stages from a local blacksmith.

1 ladle: metal (wrought iron); good condition

MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/106 // NAME: LADLE // NEG NO.: 35/40 // STORAGE: P. Ex. [Permanent Exhibition] Blacksmith.', See also objects 51/104 and 51/105.