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Image Not Available for Fisherwife's Creel
Fisherwife's Creel
Image Not Available for Fisherwife's Creel

Fisherwife's Creel

Object NameCreel
Mediumwand, wood and rope
ClassificationsFishing
DimensionsOverall: Length: 38 cm, Width: 36.5 cm, Height: 52 cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1980 by Mrs Leslie.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS003009
Keywords
About MeFishing used to be a family business and it was usual for the males to go to sea to catch the fish. The female members of the family stayed onshore and would bait the lines for the next day or sell the day's catch.
Bella Main like all 'fishwives' literally carried her wares on her back in a creel as she walked from place to sell the fish. Usually on top of the fish in the basket she would have a filleting board, where she would prepare the fish for the customer. The creel is made of willow withies tightly woven together. When full it would weigh up to 50kg, and she would either wear it on her back or sometimes from a strap across the top of her head.
Aberdeen Fish Market
James McBey
1950 - 1959