sailor made

I repeat… working with the antique estate collections has been overwhelming. NONETHELESS, I have really enjoyed it, and I have learned so much.

 

There is something magical about whaling stories and sailors at sea; but whalers lived a very hard life. Until I started researching, I had no idea that when these men went to sea, they were not gone for months at a time, but for three to five years at a stretch; and there was a good likelihood that many would never return.

 

Because they were gone for such a long period of time, these sailors became artisans, partially out of necessity; partially because there was so much down time between catches.

 

Whale bones and teeth became their canvas; and their own, unique art form was created - sometimes primitive; sometimes refined - it really depended on the skill level of the individual. When sailors were at sea, there were no ports to dock in for repair work.

 

They relied upon their own ingenuity and know-how. They mended sails and repaired nets; and often times made their own tools to make said repairs.

 

These men had loved ones at home: girlfriends, wives, mothers, children; and they made implements for sewing and cooking or toys for children to give as gifts upon returning from sea.

 

The estate collection has numerous whalebone instruments made in the mid-1800s by sailors. I am going to be sharing photos and explanations of sewing implements and tools in the next few segments.

 

Please understand that although I spent hours wrapping and boxing these antiques, I had no idea what they were. All I knew at the time is that these antiques were located in a special cabinet and needed to be handled with care.

 

So travel with me to the 1800s to learn something about these fascinating instruments that stitchers used to work magic on their finery. Remember: this was the era of handmades - if you wanted to wear it, you made it.