Lamberg-castle, Museum

Artifact of the month - November

Sheep shears

The purpose of the "artifact of the month" series is to present an outstanding artifact to those interested each month, which can be viewed in the exhibitions of the Mór Memorial and Art Exhibition in the Lamberg Castle.

Sheep shearing

An activity carried out once or twice a year, the purpose of which is to obtain wool. Ewes and rams are shorn after being driven out to pasture in the spring, depending on the weather, first at the end of May, and secondly at the end of July or beginning of August. This year's lambs are usually sheared in June. Sheep shearing was done either by the farmers themselves or by skilled shearers (men and women) hired for a wage.

The sheep shearing tool is the sheep shearing shears. The shearer started cutting the animal at the head, taking care not to damage the skin and to keep the fur (wool) in one piece. The tufted hair on the sheep's tail was selected separately.

Sheep shearing was also usually a shepherd's holiday. Until World War I., before sheep shearing, sheep were bathed several times in rivers or lakes to soak the dirt and grease from the wool.

Visitors can view the sheep shears in the chamber of the German National Landscape House of the Lamberg Castle.

Source: Magyar Néprajzi Lexikon