Name/TitleSieve

About this objectOne of two sieves used by the donor's grandfather and father (both named David Elliott), who were seed growers, up to the 1930s. They were used at The Hamlet, Coggeshall, Essex, Thorncroft Farm, Henny, nr. Sudbury, and Groton Place, Groton (at this last from 1927). They were used for dressing clover, cabbage seed, etc. Seed was threshed by a horse walking over the plants which were spread out on a cloth. (Horse threshing was particularly used for runner beans). At least four sieves, of different grade mesh, were used for each lot of seed. Dressing would be done in a barn, where, if there was enough room, several cloths, each seven or eight yards square, made of sailcloth, would be spread in a long row. On the final sieve, a feather was used to sweep off the last bit of rubbish which rose to the top as the sieve was rotated. When it was ready, the seed was shovelled with a shovel or with the hands into a bushel measure; four bushels made up a sack. The Elliotts used to grow seed on a contract basis for Sharpes of Sleaford.

Medium and MaterialsMade of willow with a wire mesh.

MeasurementsDiameter: 50 1/2 cm
Depth: 12 cm

Object numberSTMEA:76.A.10.2.1

Copyright LicenceAttribution - Non-commercial (cc)