As part of the preparation for our 20 years celebrations we will have to have a brief period of partial closure, from Tuesday 5 – Wednesday 20 March when the house (including the shop and café) will be closed to the public. Our grounds will remain open. To find out more, please visit our opening times and prices page to find out more.

Unknown

Straw models or Corn dollies

Details

Artist

Unknown

Title

Straw models or Corn dollies

Medium

Woven straw and corn, ribbon, crepe paper and wool

Reference

CVCSC:0255.168.F and 169.F

Collection

Marx-Lambert

Status

On Display

Corn dollies were made at harvest time from the last sheaf of corn. Corn dolly shapes varies by county' for example, in Essex they made long twists whilst in Gloucestershire straw was plaited in triangular shapes. Sometimes straw ornaments represented animals, such as a goat or ram, a cornucopia or spiral shapes which became popular with Marx. Corn dollies were and still are used in pagan ceremonies but today are more of a decorative art form. They are used to thank Mother Earth for the Harvest and also as a symbol of good luck and fertility. It is a worldwide craft and examples have also been found in tombs in Egypt.

Straw models or Corn dollies © Compton Verney