Description
Overview
An antique wooden hay fork with four tines, made from a single branching limb. Rather than splitting and wedging a shaft, the maker likely selected a branch that naturally divided into four shoots and hand-shaped it into a working fork. Such forks were prized on the farm for pitching loose hay, straw and grain sheaves, since smooth wooden tines don’t snag the crop. This example is likely American, probably late 19th to early 20th century. Local pickup only (Henrietta, NY).
Design & Craftsmanship
- Function & Form: Four-tine hay fork, approx. 48″ (4 ft) long; four gently curved tines rise from a single swelling junction on a straight shaft.
- Artistry & Ornamentation: Hand-shaved tines with visible knife facets and blunt rounded tips; grain flows unbroken from shaft into each tine; pale orange-tan wood. Slight asymmetry between the tines reflects its handmade, natural-growth form.
- Structural Base: Plain rounded handle end; no splits, spacers, metal hardware or maker’s marks.
Condition Report
- Surface Condition: Smooth, warm patina with handling wear at the junction and fine age checking along the tines.
- Structural Integrity: All four tines appear intact and unbroken. This item is sold “as-is” with all associated patina and wear inherent to its age and history as part of the Tour World Crafts Barn & Studio Collection.
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