Mouse Trap
1800-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This type of mouse trap was made from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The top block was raised and food put in, to tempt the mouse into the trap. When the mouse went in and pressed down a balance in the centre of the bottom board, the heavy block fell down and killed it. Later mouse traps worked with metal springs.
Ownership & Use
This mouse trap was probably made between 1800 and 1850. It was bought by the Museum in 1934 from a collector of early oak furniture.
Materials & Making
The mouse trap is made of pine, a relatively cheap wood which is easy to cut and shape. Few such mouse traps survive today as most were worn out and thrown away.
This type of mouse trap was made from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The top block was raised and food put in, to tempt the mouse into the trap. When the mouse went in and pressed down a balance in the centre of the bottom board, the heavy block fell down and killed it. Later mouse traps worked with metal springs.
Ownership & Use
This mouse trap was probably made between 1800 and 1850. It was bought by the Museum in 1934 from a collector of early oak furniture.
Materials & Making
The mouse trap is made of pine, a relatively cheap wood which is easy to cut and shape. Few such mouse traps survive today as most were worn out and thrown away.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Mouse trap, English, 1800-1850 |
| Physical description | Pine mouse trap constructed of a block of wood sliding up and down on two upright bars fixed on to a board with side pieces. The trap is set by raising the block, which falls when the mouse presses down a balance in the centre of the bottom board |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Made in England |
| Summary | Object Type This type of mouse trap was made from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The top block was raised and food put in, to tempt the mouse into the trap. When the mouse went in and pressed down a balance in the centre of the bottom board, the heavy block fell down and killed it. Later mouse traps worked with metal springs. Ownership & Use This mouse trap was probably made between 1800 and 1850. It was bought by the Museum in 1934 from a collector of early oak furniture. Materials & Making The mouse trap is made of pine, a relatively cheap wood which is easy to cut and shape. Few such mouse traps survive today as most were worn out and thrown away. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.10-1934 |
About this object record
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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