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Total number of records: 10
Madagascar fibre sample
mid 20th Century
A sample of Madagascar fibre. Produced from the leaf sheathes of a palm native to Madagascar (usually Dypsis fibrosa, sometimes other Dypsis species). The donor stated that brushmaking was carried...
kittul fibre sample
mid 20th Century
A sample of kittul fibre. Produced from the leaves or leaf sheathes of the solitary fishtail palm (Caryota urens). The donor stated that brushmaking was carried out in the workshops of the Institu...
horsehair sample
mid 20th Century
A sample of English horsehair. Horsehair brushes are used for polishing and for dusting delicate surfaces which could be damaged by scratching. Horsehair is also used in decorators' and artists' pai...
Mexican whisk sample
mid 20th Century
A sample of Mexican whisk fibre. This fibre was used to make coarse brushes such as carpet brushes (it is also known as broom root). The most common contemporary use of Mexican whisk appears to be i...
Mexican whisk sample
mid 20th Century
A sample of Mexican whisk fibre. This fibre was used to make coarse brushes such as carpet brushes (it is also known as broom root). The most common contemporary use of Mexican whisk appears to be i...
baleen bristle sample
mid 20th Century
A sample of baleen which has been cut into fine strips for use in brushes. Baleen comes from the mouths of whales where it filters and traps the plankton and small larvae which baleen whales feed ...
horsehair sample
mid 20th Century
A sample of Chinese horsehair. In the leather trade, horsehair brushes are used for polishing as they pick up dust well and do not scratch; they are also sold as domestic polishing brushes. Horsehai...
pig bristle sample
mid 20th Century
Sample of Chinese pig bristle. Many different types of pig bristle were sold according to country of origin. Quality was assessed by length, straightness and softness. Pig bristle is chiefly used ...
bassine fibre sample
mid 20th Century
A sample of dyed bassine fibre (also known as palmyra fibre). This fibre is used to make brooms and coarse brushes such as carpet brushes, it has a good heat and chemical resistance. The fibre is...
Mexican fibre sample
mid 20th Century
Sample of dyed fibre (mostly black, some fibres do not appear to have taken the dye and are cream or brown coloured). The sample is probably of 'Mexican fibre'. This name Mexican fibre is used for ...