Double Block
Description
Standard double block used to form a tackle, a broad arrow inscribed on one side. The block consisted of three parts; the shell, the sheaves, and the pin. Until the early 19th century all blocks were made by hand, and the shell was usually made of a single piece of wood. The shell itself would be made of knotted elm wood, noted for its good strength allowing for better protection of the mechanism. The sheaves would have been made of lignum vitae or ash. The pin would have been made of lignum vitae, cog-wood or greenheart. They were run through the shell to keep the sheaves in place whilst still letting them spin.
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Object Detail
Width: 170mm
Height: 107mm