Corn dolly - Cornish neck

Object/Artifact

-

Waterperry Museum

Corn dolly - Cornish Neck

Corn dolly - Cornish Neck

Name/Title

Corn dolly - Cornish neck

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.677

Description

Corn dolly, with wheat ears bunched at top

Context

A Cornish neck is one of simplest but most popular of corn dollies. It's final look can be varied according to the number of straws plaited, tightening the corners or adding a trim at the neck. The traditional Neck figures appear in all harvest ceremonies both outside in the field or inside at the harvest supper. In Devonshire the dolly had to be smuggled into the farmhouse without anyone catching the man who brought it in. If they did both man and dolly were showered with water! (Lambeth, M. 'Corn Dollies' - Shire Books, 1974)

Cataloged By

Felix Lam

Category

Corn Dollies

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Source or Donor

Gordon Dempster

Acquisition Method

Transfer

Dimensions

Height

450 m

Circumference

190 mm

Weight

60 g

Material

Straw

Location

* Untyped Location

C8S5

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good