Rare Civil War Sailor’s Mittens

Rare Civil War Sailor’s Mittens - Inventory Number: UNI 173

US Navy Civil War Mittens!

Macrame Construction

The civil war boasted a myriad of patterns made during the era with no particular documented dominance in the marketplace, but here is a great pair constructed in macrame weave for the cold sea air. The cuffs are constructed of yellow and blue wool with plaid pattern. Some insect damage to the cuffs which still display beautifully. The woven bodies are in exemplary condition.

A rare opportunity to purchase US Navy Civil War Mittens!

MACRAME

Macrame itself has an interesting history.  Even during the age of sail, it was primarily a way to occupy time and be a hobby.  Along with wood carving, painting, needle point, and on specific ships, scrimshaw; it was a hobby to pass the time when off duty on a boat.  The commonality of the hobbies aboard ship were the ability to challenge and distract the mind without taking up much space.  Time passed slow on a square rigger, but space was at a premium as provisions were replaced by harvest from the seas.Macrame gets it's root from the word "migramah"which is Arabic for 'fringe.'  Turkish and Persian rugs are still woven with the warp fibers loose.  After removing from the loom, the ends are collected with square knots, half hitches, and other simple knots.

Seamen were exposed to these rugs during the trading with Europe and later the coast of the US Colonies.  The bosun and riggers were busy at their tasks, but did start to share the how-to with the rest of the boat so they could pass the time with the hobby of recreating these edging forms with found materials aboard, and macrame as a hobby was born in the west.

By the mid 19th century as the old square riggers made way for the schooner, time aboard became limited and much of the shipboard hobbies began to fade.

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Inventory Number: UNI 173