Object number
68/9
Description
Brake used for stripping the bark from a willow rod. Probably used by Samuel Hill, an osier (willow) grower in Sonning until 1939.
The brake is a basketmaking tool used for stripping the bark from a willow rod to produce white or buff willow. This brake is made to fit into a wooden post and consists of a bar of iron which divides to make a ring, with outwards curving tips and a sprung end. It was probably made by a local blacksmith in Sonning, West Berkshire. It was probably used by willow strippers employed by Samuel Hill, an osier (willow) grower in Sonning until 1939, when the business closed down.
Physical description
1 willow brake: iron
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BRAKE // Acc. No.: 68/9 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/9502 // Place of origin: Berkshire. Sonning Eye. // Period in use: Used until 1939. // DESCRIPTION // Materials: metal/Iron. // Shape and construction: Made to fit into a wooden post. Divides to make a ring & sprung together above. Tips curved outwards. // Dimensions: L. [length] 21 1/2” W. [width] Ring 4 1/4” // Use: For stripping brown willows for white or buff. // Further history: probably used in Sonning Eye by strippers employed by Samuel Hill – osier grower of Sonning who closed down 1939. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:'
Production date
1900-01-01 - 1924-12-31
Production period
Early-twentieth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\68_9_cob.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_9502.tif - High resolution image
