Chinese Shoulder Yoke

Yokes like this were widely used on farms to carry water, milk and other heavy loads. Distributing the weight of water across the shoulder through a yoke is an age-old device used in many cultures. This example has handmade chains and may have been made locally.

The replica yoke on the right holds the equivalent weight of 2 full buckets of water. Try it to see how heavy it is and the way a yoke eases the burden.

Loan courtesy Golden Memories Museum, Millthorpe