Cord end, 20th c.

Cord end, early 20th century, I-Sardinia. MC-Monaco, Musée Océanographique, No. 975846 (MS Inventory 40)

Cord end, early 20th century, I-Sardinia. MC-Monaco, Musée Océanographique, No. 975846 (MS Inventory 40).

Eight fibre beards about 7cm long, set twice with crocheted rings. Wooden ball with flower pattern in cold painting, Ø ca 2,5 cm, white cord.

At the inauguration of the new Musée Océanographique in Monaco in 1910, Giuseppe Basso-Arnoux was asked by the director Prof. Jules Richard to create objects made of sea silk. This cord end was then bought by the museum for 50 francs – together with the other objects (little bag, cap). The scientists present at the inauguration were delighted with the unique collection: “…dove destò la più viva ammirazione e l’entusiasmo degli scienziati, per la sottigliezze straordinaria e la delicata morbidezza dei magnifici esemplari tosto acquistati dal Museo stesso, come raccolta veramente unica.”

Angelo Falconi, medical officer of La Maddalena, had supported Basso-Arnoux in his efforts for the sea silk: “Il risultato della collaborazione di questi professionisti dotti appassionati e solerti fu un’interessante collezione di artistici lavori in bisso mandata all’inaugurazione del Museo oceanografico di Monaco.” (Zanetti 1964) So, the cord end probably comes from La Maddalena.

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Sources: Basso-Arnoux 1916, Zanetti 1964, Bardini Barbafiera 1994, Carta Mantiglia 1997, McKinley 1998, Doumenge 2000