Objects Database

Belay Plate

Accession Number

495.2008.1

Object Name

Belay Plate

Created

25/11/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

25/11/2008

Brief Description

Belay plate. Elliptical hole in centre and six round holes around it.

Materials

metal

Dimensions

8(l) x 5(w) x 1(d)cms

Number Of Objects

1

Colour

silver

Provenance

There wasn't a specific time when the change occurred, but it would be around 1976 when body belays finally gave way to belay plates. For over a century climbers had been looping the rope over their shoulders or wrapping it around their bodies to get some friction, which would stop the rope sliding should the leader, or second, fall. A variety of gadgets hit the market around this time, all with the same idea, which was to let a piece of metal or aluminium create the friction rather than the body.
We are pretty sure this is homemede belay plate as there are no maker's markings on it that we can see. It's beautifully made whatever, and doesn't look like it's been used. We don't know where it came from, or who made it, but thanks anyway.

Acquisition Date

25/11/2008

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Normal Location

Bohuntin

Current Location

Bohuntin

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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