Fragment of a Ship Flag c. 1630 - 1707

This Fragment of a Ship Flag was likely constructed from various pieces of salvaged fabric by an anonymous maker. Patches of coarsely woven material have been sewn together with thick stitches, which, along with discoloration and tears, evidence significant wear and age. The flag's patchwork construction speaks to the resourcefulness required on long sea voyages. The maker skillfully combined available materials, likely under challenging conditions, to create a functional object. This process highlights the practical skills integral to maritime life, in contrast to the traditional artistry associated with flag-making. The flag is not only a symbol of identity and allegiance, but also evidence of labor, the hard work and social circumstances of the person who sewed it together, and all those who worked under it at sea. Paying attention to the materials and the processes used reveals the everyday struggles, but also the remarkable ingenuity, of those living and working on the sea.