Neolithic Tool

Neolithic Tool

flint, retouched flake, 1" across at blunt end

3rd Millenium B.C.

found at Hacksness

Hacksness, the site of a Neolithic settlement, forms the Eastern shore of Stove Bay.

Archaeologist Raymond Lamb wrote about this site in a field visit during the summer of 1979.

" Erosion very active. Site marked at bank's top by rich growth of nettles. many masonry structures including ends of walls and occupation deposit in face but close inspection impossible at this time of year because of concentration of fulmar nests in the stonework".

Primroses

Primroses

in Victorian mustard pot

from Stove

The primroses grow in grassy hollows on the low cliffs of Spurness, the Western arm of land that contains Stove Bay.

Bookend

Bookend

1930's Art Deco, painted plaster, 5" high

BRITISH ARTISCO MADE

from Rusness, Sanday

Squirrel

Squirrel

cut work embroidery on linen, 15' across

from Rusness, Sanday

Chocolate Cockerel Mould

Chocolate Cockerel Mould

early C20th, tin, 8" high

from Sanday Recycling Centre

Calendar Picture

Calendar Picture

colour photograph on cardboard mount, cloth hanging loop,14" high

found hanging on a wall in Helen Scott's bedroom

"To wish you happy New Year from Elliots Netta"

Two Teaspoons

Two Teaspoons

found at Stove

The flowers, known on Sanday as Smiling Jenny carpet the ground beneath the sycamores in Helen Scott's garden. Pink Purslane ( claytonia sibirica ) originally from Siberia became naturalised in parts of the British Isles during the C19th.

Gas Mask

World War II Gas Mask 

one of two issued to Helen & John Scott

rubber, canvas, tin, leather, safety pin

found in the stables at Stove 

Periwinkle Shells

Periwinkle Shells

 found on Stove Bay

 cast iron with periwinkle sized depressions, 6.5' across

also from Stove Bay

YAMATO

YAMATO container

sticking paste - glue for office use, 6" long, plastic

made in Japan

from the sea

Rings of Rubber

Rings of rubber

the largest 10" across

from the sea

Sowing Barrow Lid

Sowing Barrow Lid

( with silver cymbal player )

C19th, 14" high, 5 sided, painted wood

found at North Myre, Sanday

" The most important job of sowing the seed was done by a slow trustworthy horse yoked to the sowing barrow and generally the Head of the household carefully filling the canisters which in turn were turned round with the aid of small teethed wheels as the barrow was pullover the top of the drills leaving them nice and smooth, or at least they were supposed to be. " 

from Helen Scott's childhood memories

Wreath Lilies

Wreath Lilies

lifesize, plastic, steel wire, mid C20th

found on a Lowland Rubbish Dump

along with a large quantity of others

Large Easter Mug

Large Mug

one filled with Easter Eggs

7.5" high, low fired red cadmium glaze

stamped on base MADE IN ENGLAND with scratched H and 587

from Salvation Army Shop, Kirkwall

Hames

Hames

part of the harness used by working horses of Stove

C19th, steel wood, hemp rope, 28" long

found in the stables at Stove

Hames were attached to the horses collar to take the full wight of a load and would have been used for heavy work such as ploughing.

Red Chair

Red Chair, one of four

( with John Scott's felt hat )

wood, enamel paint, 36" high

found in Helen and John Scott's kitchen at Stove

Empty Cigarette Packet

Empty Cigarette Packet

Waverley Virginia Straight Cut Cigarettes

Lambert and Butler LONDON

 found in the stables at Stove

On the back of the packet are several prize medals awarded for excellence of quality and manufacture  as well as the The Diploma Of Honor, Antwerp 1894.

Hip Flask

Hip Flask

pewter with engraved flowers 7.5" high

may have come from a shipwreck 

found on the shore at Spurness near Stove

" Many are the sailing ships that came to grief along the east side of Sanday. One Christmas Eve 1904 a coal ship was lost at a place called ''Salt Water."  I remember hearing the cracking of her sails above the roar of the wild wind and sea. Then I still recall the sight of  the Farm Horses and Carts of Stove  slowly take the coffins and remains of nine of the crew past my home to be buried in Cross Cemetery. It was said the Captain's wife had been on the ship. "

from Helen Scott's Childhood memories

Small Bobbins

Small Bobbins

spherical, hollow plastic 2.5 across

from the sea

Combination Lock

Combination Lock

steel, rust 2.5" long

from the sea

Jat of Rhubarb

Rhubarb in Chipped Earthenware Bowl

from Helen Scott's garden at Stove

In her account of her childhood memories at the beginning of the C20th she writes " Most farmers grew Potatoes in plenty for the Family hens, and Pigs. Without them folk would have gone very hungry. Cabbage was grown in small quantities and so was Rhubarb at some houses, and the less fortunate would sometimes get a jat of Rhubarb from a neighbour." (transcribed from Helen Scott's handwritten notebook - Jat is an unknown word )

Pitch Pot

Pitch Pot

and Stick with remnants of tar encrusted bristles

the tin 11" high

Found in John Scott's workshop, one of the old stable buildings at Stove. This homemade pitch pot with string wrapped around the handle, was used to heat pitch which was then used as a sealant against the wild Orkney weather.

Tractor Seat

Tractor Seat

early C20th, cast iron

found in the burnt out ruins of Stove

Ornamental Rabbit

Ornamental Rabbit

made from North Pacific sea shells 

7" high, label on base reads Faroque au Philipinnes

from Sanday Recycling Centre

Although eating rabbits is taboo in the Philipinnes they are very popular household pets.

Framed Calendar 1933

!933 Calendar

12 printed sheets in wooden frame 7" across

Harrington Series No 3

J.W. co Ltd  LONDON

Summer Time British Isles begins on the 9th

from Sanday Recycling Centre

April; 1933, the Manchester Guardian, by then banned in Germany warns its readers of unknown fascist terror. 

Unused Apron

Unused Apron

1960  Provencal printed cotton

 from Salvation army Shop, Kirkwall

Cracked Wing Mirror

Cracked Wing Mirror

6" across

from the sea