For several years I’ve been trying to track down traditionally crafted trugs (that don’t have to make their way from the opposite side of the earth!). Some of you will recall I stocked just a very few in the Barn some years ago, when the talented Richard Hare was weaving his magic with ‘coppiced’ materials in NSW. But alas, he left our shores and now teaches his craft rather than making himself. But recently I tracked him down, and he put me in touch with another clever fellow, and I am simply delighted to let you know (especially those who regularly ask), that I do indeed now have a small collection of beautifully crafted, traditional trugs, in sizes, 7, 6, 5 & 4, as well as a wee ‘Berry collecting’ size.
A popular style of basket for collecting flowers and produce for over two hundred years, the ‘basket’ of our ones are of poplar, with rims and handles of coppiced willow. ‘Long clean poles are split with a froe and mallet, and shaped on a shaving horse with a draw knife and spokeshave. They are steam bent into frames and dried before being assembled with copper boat nails, the bark finished with oil and beeswax’.
A traditional trug is a thing of beauty and something to be treasured forever. I have a much-loved antique one that Larry gave me many years ago, well patinated with years of use (before it came to my hands). I’m sorely tempted to take one of these bright new clean ones and press it into service as well! And yes, I’ll be taking them to the Collectors’ Plant Fair this weekend!