Object number
59/457/1
Description
This is a woman’s sickle and is lighter and more slender than a standard man’s sickle. The reaper stooped and, grasping a bunch of corn in one hand, curved the sickle round it and cut the straw by drawing the sickle towards him. This sickle has a very thin, serrated blade and a wooden handle. It was used in the Stanton area of Gloucestershire.
Physical description
1 sickle: metal (iron); wood; good condition
Archival history
MERL Recording form – ‘Who used it: Women. // When was it used: Last used prior to 1914–18 war. // How was it used: Held in right hand, and corn was gather up into left arm, and tied into sheaves. // Where was it used: In Stanton area of Gloucestershire. // Has it a local name: Ladies’ Sickle. // When this object was used do you know if it was common in many parts of the country or only in the place from which it came: Fairly common. // Who made it: Discoverable from patent mark on it, possible – otherwise not known. // When was it made: Most likely in 1870’s. // Where was it made: Not known (see 7) // From what materials is the object made: Iron blade; wooden handle. // Is it corroded or broken or damaged in any other way: Blade somewhat rusty: handle a little worm-eaten (dead) but otherwise condition is quite good. // What are its approximate measurements: Handle 6” long: Blade 1 ft. 4 in (curved). Less than 1 inch wide. // Have you a photograph of the object: No. // Has it any unusual characteristics: Light weight, and very thin blade. Serrations along blade (cutting edge). // Additional information: Rescued from salvage by chance. But they had been in possession of a long line of agricultural workers at Stanton (now deceased). // Could you please make a rough sketch of the object: [sketch]’
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3107.tif - High resolution image
