53/639

This brake was used in Twyford to cut and strip willow ready to use in basket making. It was made by a Twyford blacksmith, and at its bottom the words 'W. BURTON // E.R. TWYFORD' are stamped. The circular part of the brake acts as a spring, and the willow was pulled through the two prongs.

1 brake: metal

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: …‘ Osier growing and basket making is one of the most widespread rural crafts. The willow is usually cut sometime between November and March and may be cleaned and stripped near the beds or taken to the basketmaker's workshop.... The tool used for stripping is called a brake... //, MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BRAKE // Acc. No.: 53/639 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/333 // Place of origin: // Period in use: Unknown // DESCRIPTION // Materials: metal/Iron. // Shape and construction: Two prongs sprung together, from a metal point which divides into a circular section. The prong was fixed into a wooden bench or post. // Dimensions: 24” long. The point is 6.8” long. // Use: For stripping or peeling the bark from a willow rod. The rod is inserted between the prongs, butt end first & pulled by the tip to break the skin of the bark. It is reversed & pulled through from butt to tip. {Does not appear to have been used D.W. [Dorothy Wright]} // Dialect names: // Distribution: Was in general use, though patterns varied. // Additional notes: Illustration. W.S.2. // Inscription: position: Base // method: stamped // W. BORTON E.R. TWYFORD'

Twyford [Wokingham [unitary authority]]

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)