Woollen Caps Worn by Dutch Whalers

anonymous, c. 1650 - c. 1800

In 1980 archaeologists investigated the graves of 185 Dutchmen – whale hunters, and workers at whale oil refineries – who had died on or near Spitsbergen in the 17th century. Many skeletons were still wearing their knitted woollen head coverings. These caps were highly personal. The men were bundled up against the severe cold and could only be recognized by the colours and patterns of their caps. Presumably this is the reason why the caps went with them into their graves.

  • Artwork typemuts, ribbon (material)
  • Object numberNG-2006-110-9
  • Dimensionscircumference 66 cm x height 24 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Woollen Caps Worn by Dutch Whalers

  • Object type

  • Object number

    NG-2006-110-9

  • Description

    Muts, bruin, dubbel en grof gebreid met gedeeltelijk omgeslagen rand. De binnenmuts heeft blauwgroene horizontale strepen. Rondgebreid in tricot-steek. Bijzonderheid : in de muts is recent een strik genaaid van 1,8 cm breed, en een onbekende lengte (minimaal 15 cm). Het lint heeft twee zelfkanten en is in effen/platbinding geweven met zeventien S- getwiste kettingdraden en elf S-getwiste inslagdraden per cm. Wat de functie van dit lint is in verhouding tot de muts is niet duidelijk. Beiden komen waarschijnlijk uit hetzelfde graf.

Creation

  • Creation

    anonymous

  • Dating

    c. 1650 - c. 1800

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Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    circumference 66 cm x height 24 cm

This work is about

  • Person

  • Subject

  • Place

  • Period

    • 1980
    • 1600 - 1800

Acquisition and rights

Documentation

  • Ad van Liempt, 'In depot : hoofddeksels', Oog 3 (2009) nr. 5, p. 92-93.

Persistent URL

Questions?

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