ProvenanceMade by sailor Matich and held by his family until donated. The donor is a nephew of Thomas McIlvern, son-in-law of Matich. We know nothing else of Matich.SignificanceA good example of sailor's handicrafts. Such items were made at sea when the winds dropped or when sailors had time on their hands. They were often made for loved ones or designed to carry the images of loved ones. Matich was a Cape Horner. The voyage from Europe to Australia via Cape Horn is 10,000 nautical miles. A normal voyage took about three months. The grain trade between Australia and Europe was the last in which the windjammers were used because the sailing was direct with few stops, and there was plenty of wind in the south. They continued trading into the late 1940s and many South Australian ports relied on their trade and service.DescriptionHand whittled picture frame. Oval in shape, wooden, made of many small pieces designed to interlock together in latice style. The timber is dark brown and varnished.; Made by sailor Matich and held by his family until donated. A good example of sailor's handicrafts. Such items were made at sea when the winds dropped or when sailors had time on their hands. They were often made for loved ones or designed to carry the images of loved ones. Matich was a Cape Horner. The voyage from Europe to Australia via Cape Horn is 10,000 nautical miles. A normal voyage took about three months. The grain trade between Australia and Europe was the last in which the windjammers were used because the sailing was direct with few stops, and there was plenty of wind in the south. They continued trading into the late 1940s and many South Australian ports relied on their trade and service. ; The donor is a nephew of Thomas McIlvern, son-in-law of Matich. We know nothing else of Matich.AcknowledgementMaterialWood
|varnish
|glass Accession NumberHT 2005.0600 a-cOn DisplaySouth Australian Maritime Museum
