Hello all,
I was referred to this list by Justine McKnight, to whom I addressed the following questions:
I've been building stringed instruments (violins and mandolins) since 1996, now here in Vermont, and am writing an article on Equisetum hyemale-- horsetail or scouring rush, and it's use in violinmaking. It has no equal in modern materials for burnishing the surface of the wood just before varnishing. I wonder what else you know about this plant, in the Old World, in the America, or even globally (background). I've found a lot of botany/biology/morphology studies and just a little ethnobotany, but I'm looking to root the woodworking use culturally in Italy before the 18th century (European colleagues, references? (Italian or French is no problem)).
In a way, the use of Equisetum for polishing is really a part of luthiers' oral tradition--my master taught me, and his teacher taught him. That makes it a bit hard to pin down for the purposes of an article, though it is undoubtably part of the story. But, I digress...
My question is this: Do plants of the genus Equisetum show up in the archeological record that you're most familiar with? What time periods? Is there
evidence of how it was used? Is it possible to know when in human history the use of Equisetum began? Any thoughts
or references; resources or articles, would be helpful. I'm most interested in the plant's use for woodworking/polishing--the effect is quite amazing!
I'm also interested in the use of shark (or dogfish) skin for similar purposes (though more coarse), but this may not be as germane a topic for this group.
Thanks in advance for any insight that you might have!!!
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