‘Raedwald’ Mask CWW3
£156.00
Made from natural materials, this highly decorative mask has been handmade using a variety of traditional weaving and plaiting techniques.
Raedwald has been inspired by the Sutton Hoo ship’s warrior king. It has two small brass loops on the back so that string can be attached and the mask can be hung on a wall, as shown in the last photograph.
The craft of corn dolly making is becoming a dying art: the straw needed for dolly making is becoming harder to find and only grown by a few specialist farmers and, as a result, there are relatively few people making traditional corn dollies on a regular basis – all the more reason to try to ensure that this folk craft survives.
Having stumbled into corn dolly making by chance some years ago the maker of this piece, Carol Partridge, now researches and makes traditional designs associated with different areas of the British Isles as well as looking further afield to similar customs in other countries; my work also includes more modern versions using traditional techniques.
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Carol Partridge has been fine tuning her skills in straw weaving for a number of years and is one of only a handful of remaining straw weavers and corn dolly makers in the UK.
Carol researches and makes traditional designs specific to different areas of the British Isles, such as the Herefordshire inspired Double Mordiford corn dolly, as well as taking interest and inspiration from similar rural crafts in other countries.
While the skills of a straw crafter or wheat weaver may seem to be in decline Carol has both revived and enlivened the folk art. Even sourcing the correct materials can be difficult as the most suitable straw is now only grown by a handful of specialist farmers. Carol has collaborated with a number of artists to create static and live installations as well as props for the film, theatre and music industries. These are a long way from the traditional image of small corn dollies both in scale and designs.
Carol is a member of the Heritage Crafts Association and also a member of the Guild of Straw Craftsmen – from whom she was given one of their prized Craftsman’s Awards.
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