Manufactured by
Unidentified
Owned by
Acacia Historical Arts International, Inc., American, founded 1989
Date
mid 19th-mid 20th century
Medium
metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 6 1/8 × 4 15/16 × 5 3/4 in. (15.6 × 12.6 × 14.6 cm)
Description
A debarking tool, or scratcher head, used to debark trees for the turpentine industry. The tool is constructed from iron. It is roughly J-shaped with a squared hook that ends in a curved rounded tip. The hook has a stirrup shaped attachment at the bottom. The straight edge of the attachment is wider than the rounded side and has a beveled cutting edge. An associated small, white, paper tag reads [SCRATCHER HEAD / (to debark trees) / Turpentine Industry].
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Tools and Equipment
Type
barkers
Topic
Agriculture
American South
Labor
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.108.23.9
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5eeb15dd5-914d-4386-993a-740eb9d344b1

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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