Object number
65/209
Exhibition
Description
The brake is a basketmaking tool used for stripping the bark from a willow rod. This brake consists of a single rod of iron bent like a hairpin so that the ends nearly touch and can be sprung together. This brake was used by a basketmaker in Mawdesley, Lancashire – a standing brake was never used in the basketmaking industry in Mawdesley. These brakes were usually made by local blacksmiths to suit the needs of the user, and were used especially on buffed ‘Dicky Meadows’ varieties of willow such as Red Dicks, Red Bird and Old Dicks.
Physical description
1 peeler: metal [iron]; good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BRAKE (peeler) // Acc. No.: 65/209 // Group: CRAFT. WOOD. BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/6366 // Place of origin: Lancs [Lancashire] – Mawdesley // Period in use: 1900–1955 // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Iron // User: Levi Southworth // Shape and construction: A single rod bent like a hairpin so that the ends nearly touched & can be sprung together. The bend is squared. // Dimensions: L. [length] 7 3/8” // Use: For stripping the bark off buffed “Dicky Meadows” willows in particular. The Mawdesley industry never used the standing brake. Used in the shop. // Dialect names: HANDBRAKE // Distribution: // Additional notes: {Peelers of this type were made by the local blacksmith to suit a worker. D. W. [Dorothy Wright]} '
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_6366.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\65_209_cob.tif - High resolution image
