Seam Rubber, from Shetland

3D Model

Seam rubber, FPL 65739

This sail seam rubber, kept at Shetland Museum, was once used to flatten the seam on a sail prior to sewing. It is intricately decorated with incised carving. Four facets of the octagonal shank bear the owner’s name and additional text: Lauce. Humphray - 1830 - Setr.1. It is 10.9cm long and made from a hardwood, possibly Lignum Vitae, a dense, sinkable wood often used in shipbuilding. It is a native of the Americas, and related species can be found in the West Indies and in Africa. These dark woods are sometimes known as ‘ironwood’. The seam rubber recalls that maritime heritage includes involvement in colonialism, and in trading slaves as well as materials between Europe, Africa and the ‘New World’. Find out about Shetland Museum collections at http://bit.ly/2W8OhAP This model is part of the “New Connections” Virtual Museum, funded by Museums Galleries Scotland and the Hugh Fraser Foundation, see irc.hw.ac.uk/new-connections.html