knifeboard
Object
Accession Number
2019.003.001Description
Wooden rectangular board with a thin piece of rubber covering most of the top side. Above the rubber is the remains of a paper label and a hanger hole. Verso has a blue paper label for Wellington Knife Boards with instructions on how to use the board and an advertisement for Oakey's Wellington Knife Polish.Narrative
This knife board is a fine example of a product mass-produced by John Oakey & Sons of London England during the late 19th Century. The purpose of the board was to provide a surface for polishing steel knives using crushed brick powder or emery powder. The powders were sprinkled on the board and then rubbed on the knife using a dry cloth.1. Knife boards were common pieces of kitchen and pantry equipment during the time that the Dunsmuir family occupied Craigdarroch, and this example was acquired to display in its food service areas.History of Use
This knifeboard was once owned by the donor’s grandmother, Mary Botting (later Mrs. Mary Cox) who moved to Nelson, BC from Somerset, England before WWl. Mrs. Cox then moved to Victoria before WWll and kept the knifeboard at her home at 1806 Burnside Road. Following her death, the knifeboard was moved to her daughter’s Victoria house at 1605 Rockland Avenue where the donor first saw it and was told about its history of use.
Date
1875 – 1900Dimensions
1.5 x 14.5 x 42 cmMaterial
Wood; Rubber; PaperBrand Name
WellingtonCountry of Origin
EnglandRelated person/business/organization
John Oakey & Sons (manufacturer)Related Objects
cleaner, knife, 2019.003.002 (is related to)
