Antique Victorian School Slate with Handwritten Name “Muscutt” (c.1890–1910) – Northamptonshire Provenance
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Bring a touch of authentic Victorian schoolroom history into your home with this beautifully aged antique children’s writing slate, complete with its original wooden frame and deeply worn slate surface. Dating from around 1890–1910, this tactile piece would once have been used daily in a Northamptonshire village or board school — a reusable, practical learning tool before paper became affordable.
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What makes this example especially charming is the faintly hand-inked name “Muscutt” on the upper frame. The surname Muscutt is strongly associated with Northamptonshire and surrounding counties, suggesting this slate belonged to a local schoolchild more than a century ago. Personal names written onto school slates were common practice, helping children identify their own writing board among the class set.
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The slate surface retains all the character of regular use: soft scuffs, chalk scratches, smoothed edges and a lovely matte patina. The wooden frame is original, with rounded corners and a beautifully worn finish that speaks to years of careful handling. A simple length of period string remains threaded through a drilled hole — likely how the slate was hung on a classroom peg when not in use.
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⭐ Key Features
Genuine Victorian school slate
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Handwritten name “Muscutt” – a local Northamptonshire surname
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Natural slate writing surface with rich patina
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Original wooden frame with rounded corners
Period hanging cord intact
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Date: c. 1890–1910
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Dimensions: 33cm x 20cm
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Condition: Lovely age-related wear, chalk marks and characterful use consistent with its time in the classroom.
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🌼 A Perfect Decorative Antique
This slate makes a wonderful:
vintage interior accent
prop for a period setting
unique frameable display piece
gift for educators or history lovers
item for rustic, farmhouse or academic décor
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It beautifully evokes the daily life of Victorian schoolchildren and adds a sense of nostalgia wherever it’s displayed.
