Two curiosities

[Harvestman]

Not really bushy but there may be a few on here that will appreciate this.

I was exploring the other week and found a nursery based in an old walled garden. Their shop was full of curiosities too, like basketry and handmade woolens (all horribly expensive of course), but I particularly liked these old boxes. I didn't know kippers were stored in boxes (it isn't something that I really thought about). I've no use for them but I covet these boxes. I would find a use.

Looking inside the boxes, most were empty, but two were full of these. I presume they are hooks for pushing or hammering into wooden beams. Can anyone tell me more?

Thanks for looking.

 

[British Red]

Pure guess but since hams and other materials were both hung and smoked (inside the chimney of the house often) could they be for hanging joints of meat? They are rather pretty for up the chimney so perhaps or pantry / cold room?

Pure guess - but I too covet both them and the boxes

 

[Clouston98]

We've got a hook like that hanging in our living room, and there is a Salk cupboard there too so it was used to hand the meat from to cure with the salt (presumably) and both are close to the fire I'd geuss to keep the salt dey and speed up the curing or erupting on the meat. Nice boxes and sounds like a great shop too .

 

[Shewie]

It looks like the reproduction ones are quite popular at the moment, have a google fishmonger boxes

 

[Goatboy]

Nice find Harvestman, I do love a good kipper or smokie. And like you I love the boxes, I could find all sorts of uses for them. Yup the hook is for either banging into a beam or being set in masonry for hanging whatever you like from them, they do have a proper name/term, but I'm blowed if I can remember what it is.

Cracking picture by the way, I like that, would be nice wallpaper on the laptop, actually looking both would. Cheers for posting up.

 

[Bowlin]

The kipper crates are lovely, sooo many uses..

The hooks could be what I know as lantern hooks (similar to the one in the pic below)

 

[Mesquite]

The kipper crates are lovely, sooo many uses..

The hooks could be what I know as lantern hooks (similar to the one in the pic below)

View attachment 33266

That hook looks like it's been made from a fork and hammered into a tree

 

[Bowlin]

That hook looks like it's been made from a fork and hammered into a tree

Recycling at its' best!

 

[British Red]

Do you recall how much they were Mike as a matter of interest?

I wonder if I should stop storing apples is my (pre war) branded apple crates

 

[sandbender]

That first pic makes quite a nice Desktop Picture/Wallpaper/Background.

Nice looking boxes, and no I didn't know kippers were stored/moved in them.

 

[Harvestman]

Do you recall how much they were Mike as a matter of interest?

I wonder if I should stop storing apples is my (pre war) branded apple crates

It was one of those places where it wasn't even clear if they were for sale, never mind having a price. I could make the trip and find out if you are really interested though.

 

[British Red]

Just curious really - not worth a litre of petrol

 

[Harvestman]

Just curious really - not worth a litre of petrol

25 miles each way. But I will be going back sooner or later (probably sooner) so I might ask anyway.

 

[Dogoak]

Nice boxes, and they are 'beam hook's.
You've reminded me that somewhere I've got some old game boxes (they were in the shed when we moved here) they were for sending pheasants and grouse from the Highlands to dealers around the country by rail.

 

[Macaroon]

My first ferret box was made from an old kipper box very much like those

 

[Goatboy]

Some kippers/smokies were sent in boxes, some in barrels. I think that higher priced, prettier ones were boxed to hold their shape and price better at market. The boxes were returnable (The picture below even says so)

Red this place sells them for £20 Wye Valley

Kippers were a huge market and pretty important to a lot of fishing communities as it allowed the fish to travel inland and stay good in the days before refrigeration.

Must admit being an east coast Scot I'm more partial to a good smokie. If you get to the shop when they're fresh out of the reek house, WOW a taste explosion. Spinks of Arbroath now go along to the Game Fair and the likes and smoke them fresh in wooden barrels onsite. (Much nicer than a burger!)

 

[Harvestman]

Hugh, for goodness sake don't look at that weblink posted by Goatboy. Your wallet will never get out alive!

 

[British Red]

I escaped

Did you notice what they descrive as "metal trunks" are actually military mortar bomb crates?

http://www.warehouse701.co.uk/reclamation//interior-design-furnishings/features/metal-trunk/

At least they look identical to the one in my barn that still has the stencilling on

My wallet though is already empty....so I'm safe to look. I wasn't contemplating buying - just considering the value o the "higher than my head" stack of vintage apple crates that I have!

 

[Goatboy]

Yup they are expensive, this lot on Amazon do cheaper crates LINK. I bought some for a mate for storage in his van for food and camping gear. Good service and the crates are pretty robust. About £20 of five crates or so.

 

[Harvestman]

I saw the cider press and had an instant "I want" moment.