Toolbox

This wooden tool box was found at Birsay at Evie on Orkney. It held a number of leatherworker's tools, and probably belonged to a professional leatherworker between the 8th and 10th century.

The box has carved decoration on the outer faces and lid, the only surviving example of decorated wood carving from Scotland dating to this period. The scroll pattern on this side is flat, unlike the more three-dimensional carvings on the other.

Our evidence for the use of wood and the decoration carved on it is much underrepresented. Wood survives only under favourable conditions. However, it must have been much used in Scotland from an early period.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-190-000-974-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: 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
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 and Glasgow: Richard Drew Publishing, 1989, 102, 107.
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