Rug Hook
circa 1840 – 1860 (Date manufactured/created)
Wood, Metal
Metal,wood
Measurement Notes: 5 3/4'' L x 3/4'' W
Rug making is an art form where yarn is looped through a stiff woven base. The loops would be pulled through a base made of burlap, linen or rug backing through use of a crochet style metal hook and usually with a wooden handle.
Handmade rug hook, with silver toned metal shank with hook at the end, and unpolished carved wooden handle. Includes a knob near the top of the handle under the shank. The wooden handle is bulbous and tapers in towards the shank with metal ferrule, probably brass. Metal hook has an extreme bend, near where it attaches to the handle, hook on the end is very small.
Piece of paper with typewritten note dictated by Olive B Russell reads, "2. 'My husband fashioned a nail into this handle; it had been his mother's; made by his father over 100 years ago. My husband hooked and taught me to hook. Enfield. Mass'." [ There is not an Enfield, Mass,probably referring to Enfield CT].
On verso of note are pieces of yellow, brittle masking tape.
Handmade rug hook, with silver toned metal shank with hook at the end, and unpolished carved wooden handle. Includes a knob near the top of the handle under the shank. The wooden handle is bulbous and tapers in towards the shank with metal ferrule, probably brass. Metal hook has an extreme bend, near where it attaches to the handle, hook on the end is very small.
Piece of paper with typewritten note dictated by Olive B Russell reads, "2. 'My husband fashioned a nail into this handle; it had been his mother's; made by his father over 100 years ago. My husband hooked and taught me to hook. Enfield. Mass'." [ There is not an Enfield, Mass,probably referring to Enfield CT].
On verso of note are pieces of yellow, brittle masking tape.
Gift of Mrs Ruth Lorenzo
1970.1.2