Antique French Coffin (Scythe Whetstone Holder)

An antique French carved wooden coffin — the belt-hung case a mower used to carry his whetstone while cutting the hayfields. Hollowed from a single piece of wood (monoxyle) in a tapered, horn-like form, with a pierced lug for hanging from the belt.

During haymaking the mower stopped every half hour or so to hone his scythe with a wet stone; the coffin was filled with vinegar-water and a little damp straw in the base to keep the precious sharpening stone moist between passes. These were everyday tools of rural French farm life before mechanised harvesting arrived in the early 20th century. A wonderfully sculptural piece of treen that stands or lies beautifully as a primitive object.

For historical context the last image depicts a man in a field with scythe, when looking closely you can see a coffin attached to his belt hanging from his waist. 

Details:

Estimated Origin: France

Period: 19th–early 20th century

Material: Carved wood (treen), monoxyle

Condition: Honest condition consistent with age and heavy field use — expect a dry, weathered surface, splits and shrinkage cracks, old nails, and some insect flight holes. A characterful primitive antique. Sold as a characterful decorative antique — please review all photos as part of the description.

Approximate Measurements: 10.2" x 3.1" x 2.8" (26 x 8 x 7 cm)