Husks Collection

An engraving depicting the sifting husks from rice and grinding grain, 19th century
5310700 An engraving depicting the sifting husks from rice and grinding grain, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1833); Universal History Archive/UIG.

An engraving depicting the production of flake cocoa by grinding roasted cocoa beans
5310629 An engraving depicting the production of flake cocoa by grinding roasted cocoa beans. Cocoa was a cheaper product than chocolate as it was produced from beans which had not been as thoroughly

Chinese man bowing cotton to remove husks, Qing Dynasty. He uses a bamboo frame to bow the cotton to remove dirt
FLO4590310 Chinese man bowing cotton to remove husks, Qing Dynasty. He uses a bamboo frame to bow the cotton to remove dirt from the cotton down

Sierra Leone, West Africa - Husking of Rice pestle & mortar
Sierra Leone, West Africa - The husking of rice using a pestle and mortar - common traditional domestic scene of food preparation. Date: circa 1910s

Husking, pub. 1861 (colour litho)
3468008 Husking, pub. 1861 (colour litho) by Johnson, Eastman (1824-1906) (after); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; American, out of copyright

Porter carrying corn husks for Tamales, Mexico
Vintage 19th century photograph: Porter carrying corn husks used for the Mexican dish Tamales, Mexico

Rice production (engraving)
6001087 Rice production (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rice production. Illustration for The Saturday Magazine, 24 August 1833.); © Look and Learn

Chinese man bowing cotton, Qing Dynasty
Chinese man bowing cotton to remove husks, Qing Dynasty. He uses a bamboo frame to bow the cotton to remove dirt from the cotton down

Ketmia, c. 1742 (hand-coloured engraving)
1631618 Ketmia, c.1742 (hand-coloured engraving) by Ehret, Georg Dionysius (1710-70); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; German, out of copyright

Rice Plant - sifting the husks and grinding the rice
Chinese sifting from the husks and grinding the rice, some of the end product being bought back to England for rice-flour and added to wheat to make bread. Date: 1833

Rice production (engraving)
6001083 Rice production (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rice production. Illustration for The Saturday Magazine, 24 August 1833.); © Look and Learn

Chestnuts, plate 32 from Fantaisies decoratives, engraved by Gillot
REV279417 Chestnuts, plate 32 from Fantaisies decoratives, engraved by Gillot, published by Jules Rouam, Librairie de l Art, Paris, 1887 (colour engraving) by Habert-Dys

Madagascar - Shelling (De-husking) Rice Date: circa 1906

EyeUbiquitous_20108847
Nepal, Bhaktapur, Suryamadhi area, Woman tossing grain in sun

EyeUbiquitous_20108846
Nepal, Bhaktapur, Suryamadhi area, Woman tossing grain in sun

Australian Brushtail Possum - with seed husks on its nose as evidence of feeding on a bird feeder at night
EL-1925 Australian Brushtail Possum - with seed husks on its nose as evidence of feeding on a bird feeder at night. Found Australia-wide, but declining in arid outback

Assorted sea shells displayed in a tray, view from above

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) open and closed fruits, amongst leaf litter on woodland floor, Norfolk, England, September

Picture No. 10778963
Dimeka market - coffee market (coffee bean husks) Date:

Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) close-up of fruit, growing in woodland, Vicarage Plantation, Mendlesham, Suffolk, England, August

Cattle farming, farmer holding Almond (Prunus dulcis) husks for feeding to milking cows, Cobram, Victoria, Australia, February

Cup Fungus (Rutstroemia echinophila) fruiting bodies, growing on husk of fallen Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) fruit, Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, England, October

Pulling off husks and silk from corn-on-the-cob

Tamales, Mexican dumplings wrapped in corn husks

Harvester Ant (Messor bouvieri) spoil heap of seed husks and other rubbish outside nest entrance, Chaine des Alpilles, Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence, France, June

Peach (Prunus persica) stones, used as carpark surface, Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa

Rice in China - 7
Breaking the Husks

A dog lies on dreid out corn husks in northern China
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

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"Husks: Unveiling the Essence of Traditional Agriculture and Culinary Practices" Step into the vibrant landscapes of Sierra Leone, West Africa, where the rhythmic sounds of pestle and mortar echo through the air as rice is meticulously husked. This age-old technique, captured in a vivid lithograph from 1861, showcases the resilience and resourcefulness of local communities. Journey across continents to Mexico, where a porter gracefully carries corn husks destined for mouthwatering tamales. The intricate process involved in husking corn reveals an ancient culinary tradition that has stood the test of time. Intriguingly, even cotton production in Qing Dynasty China relied on skilled hands bowing down to remove its delicate husk. A captivating engraving transports us back to this era when every step was taken with utmost care and precision. Delight your senses with a hand-colored engraving from c. 1742 depicting Ketmia flowers shedding their outer layers. This enchanting image reminds us that nature's beauty often lies beneath protective coverings waiting to be discovered. Rice production takes center stage once again as we witness farmers sifting through husks while grinding precious grains. Engravings capture both the labor-intensive process and the vital role rice plays in sustaining communities worldwide. Venturing beyond staple crops, we encounter chestnuts elegantly displayed on plate 32 from Fantaisies decoratives engraved by Gillot. These humble nuts remind us that even discarded shells can hold hidden treasures within. Finally, our journey concludes in Madagascar as locals skillfully shell rice kernels free from their husks—a testament to human ingenuity passed down through generations. From West Africa to East Asia and beyond, these glimpses into traditional agriculture and culinary practices unveil how "husks" are not mere remnants but rather gateways leading us closer to cultural heritage and sustainable livelihoods.