The Orkney Image Library
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Photo taken mid 1930's, by an Orcadian who worked south but took a lot of photos when he was on holidays.This was a fully operational kitchen in a farmhouse in Holm. What would be cooking in the pot hanging up? The Orkney Chair would have been a warm seat beside the spinning wheel. Can anyone identify what is standing at right hand side of the mantlepiece on the floor. Added by Phil Brough.
View Large VersionPicture added on 20 October 2009 at 13:19
I have just been led to believe that this photo could have been taken in Deerness, but it does not matter, it is a good photo of an Orkney living room in the ninteenth Century. Added by Phil Brough.
Added by Phil Brough on 22 October 2009
I think it might be a bellows for blowing the fire.
Added by Ian Sunclair on 23 October 2009
If this was a peat fire the bellows would have been a logical tool to get it going. My wife made the comment that it looked like an odd set of bagpipes which might have done the same job too. Added by Phil Brough.
Added by Phil Brough on 23 October 2009
Bellows was my initial diagnosis too, but what's that strap-like thing seemingly attached to its nozzle? Surely whatever it is would be at risk of getting burnt when the implement was used?
Added by Ian Hourston on 24 October 2009
I have a very hazy memory of a kitchen like this at Greenwall in Holm...it was then changed into a doric like stove ..I mind that happening too..but was very small at the time...then again is it the memory of stories told!
Added by Hazel on 25 October 2009
My first thought was a bellows, my second thought was I'm glad I have a gas stove.
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Added by Joyce England on 03 September 2011
Holm
Lovely picture, brings back one or two memories.
Weel, mindin stories aboot things like that!!