Piece Tin

Exhibition Label Text: The shape of a piece box gives a strong clue to its use – for carrying a miner’s ‘piece’ or sandwich. The piece box was introduced in the early twentieth century to protect miners’ food underground. Previously, food had been wrapped in cloth and hung on hooks off the ground, to keep it away from the rats and mice that lived at the pit bottom. These piece boxes were used in the 1940’s and bought from a co-operative shop. The Co-op also sold the plain loaf that gave the piece box its shape.

Rectangular with curved end. Swing handle at flat end. 20.0×11.7×6.0cm

Digital image on Keeper’s computer – S:/Keeper/MyPictures/Exhibitions/DisplayNewVisitorCentre. Taken December 2003.
Type of object visible in photograph 1997.0253

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