Fishwives at Newhaven market

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

22208

Title

Fishwives at Newhaven market

Description

Black and white negative; good condition; fishwives at Newhaven market on harbour pier; baskets of fish and dog in foreground; masts of fishing boats in background.

Date

1890

Size

5.5 x 5.5 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Museum of Edinburgh

Accession number

Ref 4.8415 C181/9.

Fishwives from Newhaven worked in groups of five or six to buy their boxes of fish. To divide the fish fairly, they each gave a personal item, a ring, bracelet, button, etc. to a passing stranger who would then place the articles on the bundles of fish. This was known as 'kyling'.

This early photograph shows fishwives buying their fish at Newhaven. At this time, the fish would be laid out on the pier for sale. Their creels and 'sculls' lie on the cobbles. The large covered fishmarket building, which still stands today, was opened in 1896, a few years after this photograph was taken.

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Related subjects

Agriculture and fisheries > Equipment > Baskets

Animals > Fish > Fish

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hairstyles

Clothing and dress > Garments > Aprons

Clothing and dress > Garments > Gala costume

Clothing and dress > Garments > Petticoats

Clothing and dress > Garments > Shawls

Clothing and dress > Garments > Skirts

People > Adults > Women

People > Agriculture and fisheries > Fisherwomen

Places > Edinburgh areas > Newhaven

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh