Smithy-made suggane twister used to make straw rope
Date made: 19th century
Maker: unknown
Description: A hand-made suggane twister used to make straw rope. The suggane twister originally belonged to (and may have been made by) John Thomas Cannell, Rhencullen, Kirk Michael, who was a blacksmith and a farmer.
Suggane is the Manx Gaelic word for straw rope. In the 19th century, suggane twisters would be hand-made by the village blacksmith.
Suggane rope was an important and useful product as it was used in roping down the thatch on Manx cottages and thurrans (stacks of corn) and for making lankets to ‘hobble’ animals. The home-made straw rope was replaced in the 20th century with commercially-made ‘coir’ rope and then by plastic binder twine.
Measurements: 61 x 17 x 4 cm
Materials: metal: iron, wood
Object name: suggane twister
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1954-2270
Subject tags : SHIC 4.615 - Construction and repair of buildings