Offered for auction is an antique oak wood sap bucket. This bucket was produced in Middlefield Ohio at the Middlefield Pail Factory between 1910 and 1920. The narrow oak staves are held in place by two metal bands. When the buckets became dry from storing in the barn, they were taken to the creek in the late winter prior to hanging on the maple trees to soak up the water and expand the wood to allow them to hold the maple sap. The sap buckets were then hung on the maple trees when the weather conditions caused the maple sap to start flowing. It was gathered in these buckets and picked up with a team of horses and sled and transported to the sugar house where it was boiled down to make maple syrup. The buckets were fastened to the trees with a simple wire loop that was inserted through two small holes in the bucket. The buckets exterior were painted an antique red (original paint) and the interiors were painted with a white wash. Some of the white remains on the interior and some of the red remains on the exterior. These buckets are original and the finish has not been touched--not even washed since last stored in the barn. The top diameter is 12" tapering to the bottom diameter of 9". The overall heigth is 9". These buckets were in the barn of my husband's father's barn. When he passed in 2009 we each took a few. We put a tongue oil finish on ours to help protect the red finish and allow for easier dusting. This left a smooth satin looking finish and helped the wood retain its moisture. It had been my father-in-laws job as a young child to carry the buckets to the creek to soak. He started doing this when he was very young. The bands are screwed to the staves with brass screws-otherwise the pail would fall apart because it is dry. Enough history on this bucket. It is a very charming decorative piece that can be used inside or out for a multitude of purposes. Please do not hesitate to email with questions. Thanks for reading the history, hope you enjoyed the origin. Final Price Reduction.