Woollen Caps Worn by Dutch Whalers

anonymous, c. 1740 - c. 1760

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
  • Object numberNG-2006-110-8
  • Dimensionscircumference 64 cm x height 33 cm x diameter 29 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Woollen Caps Worn by Dutch Whalers

  • Object type

  • Object number

    NG-2006-110-8

  • Description

    Muts, fijn gebreid en meerkleurig met rode, groene, blauwe, gele en witte horizontale strepen, gevoerd met een grof gebreide lichtbruine muts. De bovenkant van de buitenmuts valt slap over de binnenmuts heen en het geheel lijkt daarom een beetje op een slaapmuts. De buitenmuts is in tricot-steek gebreid met vijfenvijftig steken en honderd naalden per tien centimeter en bestaat uit twee delen, geknipt uit een grote lap vlak breiwerk.

Creation

  • Creation

    anonymous

  • Dating

    c. 1740 - c. 1760

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Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    circumference 64 cm x height 33 cm x diameter 29 cm

This work is about

  • Person

  • Subject

  • Place

  • Period

    • 1600 - 1800
    • 1980

Acquisition and rights

Documentation

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

Persistent URL

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