Santa Clara Scissors BAH1993-1353c

3D Model

The blades of this pair of scissors from the 1564 galleon Santa Clara are 5.2 cm long from the pivot to the tip. They were originally made of iron or steel, and their forms were cast from the calcareous concretion mold that formed around them underwater (see https://skfb.ly/osPN8). There is some hatching on a shield-shaped relief where the bows meet the arms. They are of a size and design that would fall under the category of “general purpose” scissors. Typical needs for scissors on board a ship might be to cut cloth or thread, trim hair and beards, or as part of a surgeon’s kit.