an elaborate folk art ceremonial sailor made knot and sennit bell rope from the third quarter of the 20th century, reputedly made for the bell of one of h.m.submarines. designed to be hung and displayed from the ships bell when in harbour or on visits from important people and often given to a long serving captain on his departure from commanding a vessel. knots have always been an essential part of the mariners art of seamanship, which on occasion is taken to extreme levels to make decorative items such as this bell rope.
the ships bell has always been used as an indicator of time as well as other traditional functions including being used upturned as a font for onboard baptisms. with the demise of a ships figurehead the bell became the focal point of a ships identity and an elaborate bell rope would be an indicator of the sailors pride in his ship. it was often the sailors belief that the ships bell held the soul of the ship.
length ... 350mm
