Pitmen Playing at Quoits (c.1840) by Henry Perlee Parker (1795–1873), Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Miners shifts meant they often started or finished work in the dark. Pithead buildings can just be made out in the background of this scene. One of the huge chaldrons (wagons) that transported coal from the mine is shown behind the miner standing on the right. A young lad leans on a corf – a huge wicker basket used to raise coal to the surface. Many boys started work at the age of seven. They opened mine doors and helped lead horses.
