Presented is a pair of sailor made fancy rope work chest handles called beckets and their rarely found mounting cleats. They were used as on sea chests during the 19th Century.  Seaman took great pride in making these, and the  fancier, and more complicated they are, indicate how experienced the sailor was.  Only seaman, with years of experience were able to create such intricate works of "marlin spike" seamanship. Fancy ones, such as this, commanded a great deal of respect from shipmates.

 

In an earlier auction this Summer a pair of beckets without mounting cleats brought $2500.00 at the Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Maine and they didn't have this distinguished provenance

 

IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE. These beckets are from the J. Wells Henderson collection. As A founder of Philadelphia's Maritime Museum, Henderson held his first exhibition in 1957 at the Peabody Museum of Salem, now Peabody Essex.  Much of the collection is documented in his "Jack Tar": A Sailor's Life 1750–1910 which illustrated many of the pieces that had been off the market for six decades or more. The carved and painted figure of "Jack Tar” featured on its cover, sold just below estimates at $337,000.  

 

Beckets are made around a core of rope or twine called "marlin". The general shape is formed by taking a varying number of strands and whipping them together using small twine, binding them and leaving the ends open to be made into eyes or grommets. The result is then covered by fancy rope work, which includes macramé stitches and embellishments such as "Turks heads" and "monkey fists". The final step is to form the bolt rope which passes through the eyes and has Turks head on the ends. A wooden cleat is used to attach the Becket to ends of the chest.

THE TEAK WOOD CLEATS: Typical of the period are the wood cleats with carved diamond and star designs that were used to accent scrimshaw and wood carvings of American design.

The blocks are 7 1/4“L x 2 7/16“ W x 1“ T

A set of 19th C Beckets with rarely found carved wooden cleats

The back of both. Note broken strands of macramé on left

OVERALL SIZE:  10 1/2“ L x 2 3/8“ W x 1 5/8” T 

WEIGHT (2)  4 lbs 4 oz

CONDITION: The rope work, weaving and knots are all in good order and complete with no fraying with one exception. One Becket's macramé outer covering's strands are broken. The handles are otherwise firm and in excellent condition. The monkey fists are still tight on the strops.

These Mid-19 Century Beckets would be ideal to fit onto an old sea-chest such as the one we have in stock.

OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within seven days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless due to our error.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

A set of 19th Century American sailor made beckets complete with mounting cleats 

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