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Scouring Collection

Scouring, a timeless practice that has been woven into the fabric of our history

Background imageScouring Collection: Woman scouring a vessel, 1631-1677. Creator: Willem van Odekercken

Woman scouring a vessel, 1631-1677. Creator: Willem van Odekercken
Woman scouring a vessel, 1631-1677. Other Title(s): Woman scouring a vessel

Background imageScouring Collection: Woman scouring metalware, 1650-1660. Creator: Jan Steen

Woman scouring metalware, 1650-1660. Creator: Jan Steen
Woman scouring metalware, 1650-1660

Background imageScouring Collection: Scouring cloth in a woollen mill in Bradford

Scouring cloth in a woollen mill in Bradford, Yorkshire, late Victorian period

Background imageScouring Collection: Scouring Board, c. 1940. Creator: M. Rosenshield-von-Paulin

Scouring Board, c. 1940. Creator: M. Rosenshield-von-Paulin
Scouring Board, c. 1940

Background imageScouring Collection: Scouring Board, 1939. Creator: Max Fernekes

Scouring Board, 1939. Creator: Max Fernekes
Scouring Board, 1939

Background imageScouring Collection: Advertisement, Hudsons Extract of Soap (engraving)

Advertisement, Hudsons Extract of Soap (engraving)
1062018 Advertisement, Hudsons Extract of Soap (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement, Hudsons Extract of Soap)

Background imageScouring Collection: Friction and fulling mill for scouring cloth

Friction and fulling mill for scouring cloth. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by J. Farey from Abraham Rees Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature

Background imageScouring Collection: Le Jour Du Recurage (colour photo)

Le Jour Du Recurage (colour photo)
2817378 Le Jour Du Recurage (colour photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Le Jour Du Recurage)

Background imageScouring Collection: Cloth Manufacturer (engraving)

Cloth Manufacturer (engraving)
2801958 Cloth Manufacturer (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cloth Manufacturer)

Background imageScouring Collection: Advertisement, Brookes Soap (engraving)

Advertisement, Brookes Soap (engraving)
1604893 Advertisement, Brookes Soap (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement, Brookes Soap)

Background imageScouring Collection: The first thing he did was to scour a suit of armour that had belonged to his great-grandfather

The first thing he did was to scour a suit of armour that had belonged to his great-grandfather (engraving)
979039 The first thing he did was to scour a suit of armour that had belonged to his great-grandfather (engraving) by Hardy

Background imageScouring Collection: Advert for household cleaner an polisher. Date: 1910

Advert for household cleaner an polisher. Date: 1910

Background imageScouring Collection: Farmers in France cultivating the ground after World War One were finding unexploded

Farmers in France cultivating the ground after World War One were finding unexploded projectiles. In this drawing you can see a operator with a telephone receiver (microphone)

Background imageScouring Collection: Gillotts Steel Pen Manufactory (engraving)

Gillotts Steel Pen Manufactory (engraving)
6010275 Gillotts Steel Pen Manufactory (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Gillotts Steel Pen Manufactory)

Background imageScouring Collection: Dyer and Scourer (engraving)

Dyer and Scourer (engraving)
2801967 Dyer and Scourer (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dyer and Scourer. Illustration for An Illustrated Vocabulary For The Use Of The Deaf And Dumb)

Background imageScouring Collection: Advertisement, Brookes Soap (engraving)

Advertisement, Brookes Soap (engraving)
1042243 Advertisement, Brookes Soap (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement, Brookes Soap)

Background imageScouring Collection: Advertisement, Brookes Soap Monkey Brand (engraving)

Advertisement, Brookes Soap Monkey Brand (engraving)
1039196 Advertisement, Brookes Soap Monkey Brand (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement, Brookes Soap Monkey Brand)

Background imageScouring Collection: Leather, Parchment, and Glue (engraving)

Leather, Parchment, and Glue (engraving)
5221735 Leather, Parchment, and Glue (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Leather, Parchment, and Glue)

Background imageScouring Collection: Sketches in a Norman Cider Orchard, I (engraving)

Sketches in a Norman Cider Orchard, I (engraving)
1059921 Sketches in a Norman Cider Orchard, I (engraving) by Hennessy, William John (1839-1917); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches in a Norman Cider Orchard, I)

Background imageScouring Collection: Advertisement, Brookes Monkey Brand Soap (engraving)

Advertisement, Brookes Monkey Brand Soap (engraving)
1037042 Advertisement, Brookes Monkey Brand Soap (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement, Brookes Monkey Brand Soap)

Background imageScouring Collection: Woman scouring metalware, 1650-60 (oil on panel)

Woman scouring metalware, 1650-60 (oil on panel)
3709942 Woman scouring metalware, 1650-60 (oil on panel) by Steen, Jan Havicksz. (1625/26-79); 24.5x20 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dutch, out of copyright

Background imageScouring Collection: Norway, Svalbard, Longyearbyen

Norway, Svalbard, Longyearbyen glacier, Hikers walking up the lower section of the glacier, Moraine field in the foreground, Early Winter snow on valley sides

Background imageScouring Collection: Le jour de Recurage, (Scouring Day), c1890

Le jour de Recurage, (Scouring Day), c1890. Illustration from the the booklet Au Japon, Types, Costumes & Moeurs, (Paris, c1890)

Background imageScouring Collection: Advertisement for Monkey Brand metal cleaner in the March 1907 edition of The Graphic

Advertisement for Monkey Brand metal cleaner in the March 1907 edition of The Graphic, a weekly illustrated newspaper, published in London from 1869 to 1932

Background imageScouring Collection: Girl squatting scouring large pan 1800 1900 paper

Girl squatting scouring large pan 1800 1900 paper
Girl squatting, scouring a large pan, anonymous, 1800 - 1900, paper, chalk, h 223 mm × w 187 mm

Background imageScouring Collection: Woman scouring metalware, Jan Havicksz. Steen, 1650 - 1660

Woman scouring metalware, Jan Havicksz. Steen, 1650 - 1660

Background imageScouring Collection: Wool scouring machine, artwork

Wool scouring machine, artwork
Wool scouring machine. Computer artwork of a wool scouring machine that is powered by a watermill (not seen). Scouring removes grease and dirt from the wool

Background imageScouring Collection: Glacial erosion

Glacial erosion. Grooves in bedrock from the movement of a glacier. This type of erosion is called abrasion. As a glacier moves across land, it picks up debris, which is carried with the ice

Background imageScouring Collection: Manufacturing Wool Yarn

Manufacturing Wool Yarn
The Worlds largest (at the time) single line of worsted carding machines for opening scoured raw wool prior to combing at Patons & Baldwins factory in Darlington


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Scouring, a timeless practice that has been woven into the fabric of our history. From the bustling woollen mills in Bradford to the delicate engravings depicting flagellation in 1512, scouring cloth has played a vital role. In the depths of those mills, skilled workers meticulously scoured each piece of cloth, ensuring its purity and perfection. The rhythmic motion of their hands on the scouring board created a symphony of cleansing power. Meticulous attention to detail was paramount as they sought to remove every stain and blemish from these precious textiles. An advertisement for Hudsons Extract of Soap proudly proclaimed its effectiveness in achieving spotless results. This engraving captured not only the product's promise but also society's growing fascination with cleanliness. Friction and fulling mills emerged as technological marvels dedicated solely to scouring cloth. These colossal machines harnessed power and precision, revolutionizing an age-old process. Le Jour Du Recurage showcased vivid color photography capturing everyday life within this industry. It revealed both the laborious nature and its integral place within society. Cloth manufacturers relied heavily on this essential step in production, recognizing that quality began with thorough scouring. Engravings immortalized their dedication to excellence while highlighting their pivotal role in shaping fashion trends. Brookes Soap seized upon this demand for impeccable cleanliness through an enticing advertisement etched onto paper. Their soap promised unparalleled results when it came to removing even stubborn stains from fabrics. A whimsical cartoon depicted a patent steam scouring establishment where innovation met tradition head-on. This playful illustration encapsulated how technology continued to transform this centuries-old practice while honoring its roots. Lastly, an engraving portrayed a noble figure diligently scouring his great-grandfather's suit of armor—a testament not only to preservation but also respect for heritage and ancestry. Through time-honored techniques or cutting-edge advancements, one thing remains constant: scouring is an art form.