The Stables

The Stables currently house two collections objects: the two fabulous horse statues made by Harold Gosney. Actually, one is the former and the other the statue. The former is a reversed mould, heated pieces of copper were beaten onto the wooden horse to get their shape. Then the metal parts were removed and riveted together to form the sculpture. These beautiful beasts have been living in the Stables since 2017.

But we want to add more inside the building. We want to show off some other interesting objects from our collections, but what will make the cut? To decide I have been researching what equestrian objects we have. I am trying to find out how old they are, where they came from, who used them and any other bits of information. Unfortunately, we do not have a large equestrian collection and what we do have mostly is not from the time that the Stable Yard was built (1818-1820). And so, I will have to go for a range of dates. This does fit in with the story of the Stable Yard, because just like the objects these buildings were used over two centuries. Here is a sneak peak of one of the objects that has made it on the list:

This Children’s saddle comes from the Brocklesby Estate, early to mid-19^th century.

It was donated to the Museum in 1965. Our collections database did not tell me anymore about the saddle or its history. Hoping to find out more I contacted the Brocklesby Estate. Their historian tried to help me out, but he couldn’t answer my questions. He said that all the family’s horse saddles were marked with a crown. Ours is not. But as it was donated directly by the former Earl of Yarborough, we know there is a connection, but we may never know its exact story.

An expert in saddles helped me to date the saddle. She also told me some of the saddlery jargon! Like the small footrest (which is missing one of the straps) is called a planchette.

Next week: Researching the objects 2: The Coach House