Fragment of a Ship Flag c. 1620 - 1707

Here we have a fragment of a ship flag, made anonymously, with unknown materials. Imagine this flag billowing in the wind, a silent witness to voyages, battles, and perhaps even acts of piracy. Flags often represented identity, allegiance, and power, but here the anonymity of the artist and the lack of clear symbolism complicate this narrative. What does it mean when a symbol of identity becomes detached from its origin, eroded by time and circumstance? Think about the labor that went into creating this flag, perhaps sewn by women, or enslaved people, their stories now faded like the fabric itself. The holes and tears speak of a life marked by struggle and resilience. This piece invites us to reflect on the unseen hands that shape our histories, and the fragments of memory they leave behind. Consider, too, the emotional weight of such an object—a symbol of hope, fear, or defiance for those who sailed under it.