Cleaning Solutions
early C21st
from the sea
Sunday, 29 March 2020
QUO VADIS
QUO VADIS
where are you going
polydorm, faded fender buoy !2" across
from the sea
The unusual Latin name belongs to a Sanday Fishing Boat. Frequently the boats are given feminine names such as Heather Bell, Enchantress, Nancy, Alison Marie, Hope. Naming a boat Quo Vadis suggests the boundlessness of the sea and freedom to choose any direction.
Small Hand
Small Hand
cast resin, paint, steel 5" long
found in a Kirkwall skip
There will be performances in the waiting room, and time
To jump over a skipping rope, and time to adjust
As though for a dancing class the ribbons in your hair.
This string quartet is the most natural thing in the world.
Fingers leave shadows on a violin, harmonics,
A blackbird fluttering between electrified fences.
from Ghetto - Michael Longley
Island Gifts
Island Gifts
skeins of handspan Shetland sheep's wool
and 12 multicoloured eggs
from Crudy, Sanday
Tuesday, 24 March 2020
The Handy Sanday Telephone Directory
new up to date edition April 1975
printed on a press, thick yellow paper, 3" across
stapled spine later mended with stitching
found at Stove
The directory begins with a page useful Kirkwall numbers such as Auction House, Hospital, Police Station, then lists 140 houses on the island in alphabetical order. Hand written additions made by Helen Scott.
Sunday, 22 March 2020
Helen Scott's Daffodils
Helen Scott's Daffodils Thalia
which fade to whiteness as they age
from under the trees in her overgrown garden at Stove
Shoo Fly Food Cover
Shoo Fly Food Cover
with latex dog heads and bird bones
C19th, brass, brass wire, applied red paint 13.5" across
from Sanday Recycling Centre
Game of Skill
Girl with Frog
game of skill - to gently roll 3 balls into 3 holes
plastic, paper, steel balls 3" across, Made in Hong Kong
from Stromness Red Cross Shop
& Cowboy
Sea Boot
Sea Boot
hand stitched leather, missing heel, 2ft long
from Pool, Sanday
Mariner's sea boots of leather were used until the 1930's after which time rubber was far more widely used.
Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Array of Corroded Copper
Array of Corroded Copper
collected along the shorelines of Sanday
from the sea
Feeding a Bear at the Zoo
Feeding the Bear
C19th ceramic plaque 4" across
lid shaped, slotting into wooden frame, copper ring
from Sanday Recycling Centre
Saturday, 14 March 2020
Ziggurat
Ziggurat
( with brass bird )
from early C20th farm machinery
cast iron, rust, 9" high
found among the rocks at disused dump, Ayres Rock, Sanday
Pair of Glasses in Case
Pair of Glasses in Case
Skea, North Myre, Sanday
steel, glass, velvet. paper label
found at bonfire site on moorland above Stove
Three Scoops
Three Scoops
fitting in side each other
rust, enamelled tin, the tallest 8" high
from Sanday Recycling Centre
Tuesday, 10 March 2020
Girl with Two Spaniels
Girl with Two Spaniels
C19th Staffordshire flatback figurine 8" high
creamware painted with on glaze enamels
from Sanday Recycling Centre
Girl with Antelope
this one would be an arbour scene but the tree has broken off.
Wooden Boat
Wooden Boat
C20th 18" long LT253
made by John Scott
found at Stove
The black edging on one side of the boat's prow is missing which probably would have been where the boat's name was painted. It floats perfectly and may have been made for the Roos Loch, Sanday, model boat race which was held annually on New Year's Day whatever the weather. Soon after the year 2000 this interesting event ceased to happen.
Saturday, 7 March 2020
Oasis
Oasis
belonging to Helen Scott; used for flower arranging
plastic coated brass wire, perished green rubber, 8" across
found at Stove
Helen Scott, who lived at stove throughout the C20th, created an extraordinary garden in the small field behind the house. Here she planted many trees, roses and scented bushes as well of beds lupins, lilies, delphiniums and all the flowers that can survive the North. her garden was renowned beyond the island of Sanday and became a sanctuary for migrating birds to rest in.
Darned Fish Basket
Darned Fish Basket
plastic, nylon twine 17" high
from the sea
These baskets are used by fisherman to store their catch. They are frequently washed up broken but seldom mended.
Thursday, 5 March 2020
Monday, 2 March 2020
Wavy Whelks
Wavy Whelks
revealing conical helixes
5" long
found on Egilsay - from the sea
Buccinum undatum
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