Winnowing machine

This machine consists of a wooden frame with a tapering hopper at the top, a drum at the back, two square sieves in the middle and an outlet ramp at the front. The four blades in the drum are turned by hand, using an iron handle. It stands on four legs, with four carrying handles. It is painted green and red.

It was used to winnow the cereal, separating the husk from the grain. The size and ease of transport of this machine guaranteed its success, since the cost could be shared amongst various farmhouses with low output. Most date from the first half of the twentieth century, when wheat was still grown in Atlantic areas of the Basque Country. The winnowing machine was one of the items produced by Ajuria from Vitoria-Gasteiz, a pioneer in the production and importation of agricultural machinery.

This machine belongs to the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa's J. Gorriti collection.

Bibliography:

Martínez Ruiz, José Ignacio. La mecanización de la agricultura española: de la dependencia exterior a la producción nacional de maquinaria (1862-1932). Revista de Historia Industrial. 1995. 8, 43-63.

Inventory number: GFA-004628-001