Bee Skep

01

Artifact Overview

A bee skep provided shelter to domesticated honeybees. A skep consisted of coiled grain straw bound with wood splints. The small opening allowed bees to enter and make their honeycomb to store food to sustain the hive's bee larvae. Beekeepers put skeps near orchards, gardens, and fields with plants needing pollination and harvested the excess honey and beeswax.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Bee skep

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2022.0.22.190

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Straw (Plant material)

Color

Pale yellow

Dimensions

Height: 17 in
Diameter: 13 in

Bee Skep