Toolbox

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This wooden tool box was found at Birsay at Evie in Orkney. It held a number of leather worker's tools, and probably belonged to a professional leatherworker sometime between 640 and 860.

The box has carved decoration on the outer faces, a rare surviving example of decorated wood carving from Scotland at this period. It can be paralleled to contemporary decoration on large sculptured stones and manuscripts.

Leather was used for a range of objects including shoes, scabbards, straps and harness, although they only survive when conditions are favourable. There were specialist leatherworkers in Scotland from at least the Roman period.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-388-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FC 262.1
• Date: 700 - 1000
  Between 640 and 860
  
• Material: Wood; decorated
  Toolbox, leather worker's
  
• Dimensions: Ends 0.60" thick; sides 0.40" thick; bottom 0.70" - 0.80" thick
  
• What: Toolbox, leather worker's
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Evie and Rendall, Birsay
  
• Event:
• Description: Leather worker's decorated wooden toolbox from Birsay, 8th - 10th century
  
• References:
  • Calder, Jenni. The wealth of a nation. Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland & Glasgow: Richard Drew Publishing, 1989, pp 102, 107. 
• Translations:
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