Toolbox

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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: 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 and Glasgow: Richard Drew Publishing, 1989, 102, 107. 
• Translations:
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