Historical information

A topping plane is part of a set of cooper’s tools used by a cooper. A cooper uses a topping plane, also known as a 'sun plane', to give a level surface to the 'chime' which is the bevelled edge at the top and bottom of a cask.

Significance

A tool used by coopers for hundreds of years that has not changed in design during that time and is still in use today. Item at this time cannot be associated with an historical event, person or place, provenance is unknown, item assessed as a collection asset as it is believed to have been produced before 1950.

Physical description

Coopers Topping Plane, wooden with metal blade & metal plate on base.

Inscriptions & markings

Makers mark on blade unreadable