Thread by @OxburghEstateNT

It's #FindsFriday time with week six of our #DebrisDiary. A few interesting finds have emerged out of the dust this week, thanks to the eagle eyes of our volunteers and staff. @NatTrustArch 📷Nicholas Farka

First up we have this curious bell, found under the floorboards of what would have been servant accommodation. Maybe it was part of Oxburgh’s staff bell system. It is metal and the button still moves when pressed…although we doubt anyone is receiving anything now.

Next up we have this delicate little black ribbon and a collection of beads and buttons. Which add to the narrative that these attic spaces were being used as a sewing room. One or two have nice big windows so maybe the abundance of light made it the perfect needlework space.

This piece of historic wallpaper was found in the east attic range. We believe that the C19th servants’ spaces were split by gender; with the men lodging in the eastern range and the women in the west. So maybe a footman was treated to this lovely green.

Finally, there is this little pile of broken glass, found on the second floor in an area that would have once been Mrs. Greathead’s apartment. We are used to finding broken glass from windows, so it was nice to see a little shape suggesting a lost bottle or tumbler.

The sifting and debris diary will skip a week now, so that everyone can have a break from the dust and pins.
Thank you to @DCMS @HeritageFundUK @wolfsonfdn for supporting our #RaisetheRoof project, which has allowed us to explore these areas of Oxburgh Hall.