A wooden miner's cradle with metal sieve used to separate gold or other heavy minerals from soil and water. Washdirt and water were tipped into the sieve at the top while the cradle was rocked. The oscillating motion washed away sand and fine particles, leaving the gold trapped behind ridges across the bottom. Large rocks and gravel caught by the sieve were discarded by hand. The metal sieve is slightly damaged.gold minning, gold washing cradle