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Apron made from mule skin. Worn by T.J. Thomas of Maesteg, 1930-60.

Made from two pieces which overlap and are joined together by 13 rivets down a 36cm long section at the upper centre front. Below there is a 50cm long slit. The apron was used by a farrier and the slit is there so that he can work on a horse's foot and still protect his knees. The farrier faces away from the horse and its foot is pulled backwards through the farrier's legs and through the slit in his apron. The apron splays out and is slightly wider along the bottom. On each corner of the upper edge, there is a copper alloy grommet to which the ties are attached. The ties are made from thin rope made of bast fibre (S-twist). The tie on the proper right hand side is made up of three lengths which are knotted together; the two upper lengths are 3-ply and the lowest one is 4-ply. The tie on the left is 4-ply.