BEST New England 19 c Mackerel Plow \" Five Pointed Star Decoration\"

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BEST New England 19 c Mackerel Plow \" Five Pointed Star Decoration\":
$256.00

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Wonderful 19c Maritime Nautical Folk art at its best. This very fine 19 c Mackerel Plow was carved with a skilled hand. Made out of birch or maple , it is decorated with a star and floral inlay of pewter or lead. I have added an excerpt from the Smithsonian that talks about this rare piece of fishing history.Although this was found on the South Shore of Nova Scotia , Lunenburg Co. It closely resembles the New England example thataccompaniedthisarticlefrom the Smithsonian. The fishing trade between NS and Maine was very big during the 19 c .From the Smithsonian-Used by New England fishermen aboard mackerel schooners in the 19th century, this unusual tool converted poor “leather-bellies” to fat “Number 1” fish with a few short strokes. Mackerel caught in seines at the beginning of the season—in spring and early summer—were generally lean, dry, and tough, and not worth much at market. But fishermen found a way to plump them up to command a higher price. After splitting a scrawny mackerel down its back with a larger knife, a fisherman would make several slashes parallel to the backbone with the small blade of the plow. Like plowing furrows on land, the slashes opened the flesh, causing the fish to swell and look fat, which could bring a higher price.

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BEST New England 19 c Mackerel Plow \" Five Pointed Star Decoration\":
$256.00