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Comb holder
Comb holder

Comb holder

Maker (Australian, died 1994)
Date1990-1994
Object number00018442
NameRopework
MediumSynthetic white cord
DimensionsOverall: 87 x 60 x 60 mm, 0.03 kg
ClassificationsDecorative and folk art
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Della Elliott
DescriptionRopework comb holder made by Able Seaman Walter MacKenzie for Della Elliott (active in the Seaman's Union of Australia), before 1994. The comb holder is a length of looped rope with a teased out tassel below. It is decorated with a knotwork rose stained red, and trimmed with plastic stem and leaves with two turk's head knots. The comb holders were hung over seamen's bunks to their combs which were stuck in the tassel.HistoryThe objects were made by Walter Mackenzie as keepsakes for Delia Elliott. Delia was the widow of the well known long-serving Federal Secretary of the Seamen's Union of Australia, Eliot Valens Elliott (also known as Vic Elliott), and was herself active in Union affairs. She had a wide acquaintance with old seafarers who held her and her husband in high esteem. The objects are nice examples of knot work displaying the expertise upon which seamen prided themselves, and which was originally essential knowledge for their work in rigging. It was still important even in recent decades for many uses at sea. Seamen have traditionally used knots like turk's heads for decorative and practical purposes, the comb holder being one example.SignificanceThis rope work comb holder reflects seamen's crafts and hobbies. Rope work was an important skill for sailors to have and was useful not only in their day-to-day lives at sea, but also to a way to spend countless idle hours between ports.