Repair, Reuse, Recycle Trail

Repair, Reuse, Recycle Trail pamphlet

1. Drawing by Pablo Picasso

Who hasn’t reused a piece of paper? This piece of paper has been reused by the artist Pablo Picasso to sketch two different drawings. On one side there is a pencil sketch of a female bust in profile, on the other is a horse drawn in crayon and pencil.

The drawings are thought to date to 1905, and the sketch of the horse is thought to be a study for “Jeune Homme et Cheval”, a work now in the collection of the Tate Modern.

Like many artists Picasso regularly reused paper and canvases when producing his artworks.

2. Delftware serving plate

Blue and white delft was the attempt by European ceramic manufacturers to imitate the fine porcelain that was being imported from China. European and Irish produced delft was considered a luxury item even though it was cheaper to produce than the Chinese porcelain it was trying to mimic, and so it was worthwhile for it to be repaired in order to continue to be used.  

This serving dish was made in Dublin and dates to the 18th century. It has been repaired using wire stitches or rivets. Holes were drilled part of the way through the object and metal u-shaped brackets were inserted to hold the broken fragments tightly together. Sometimes the rivets were recessed down into the ceramic, and were covered over and hidden. However, like on this example, the rivets were often left visible

This kind of repair was developed from a traditional Chinese repair technique and was used in Europe up until early 20th century when glues and adhesives were developed that could provide a strong and reliable repair. Mechanical repair, using these wire rivets, provided the best option to make the ceramic strong and watertight, and so suitable for continued use.

3. Tulipiere or bulb pot

A bulb pot was a vase designed for growing bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths or crocuses. Bulbs would be placed on each of the spouts which fed into a common reservoir. They were first manufactured in the Netherlands in the 17th century, at a time when the popularity of the imported flower bulbs had led to what was known as “tulip mania”.

This bulb pot was probably made in China in the 19th century, copying the earlier European design. At some point it was recycled, and a fitting was put in so that it could be used as a lamp.

4. Chinese punch bowl

Imported ceramics from China were considered luxury items in the 18th century. The silver rim on this bowl would have added a more European look to the imported bowl, but was also effective in protecting the rim from damage, and, as in this case, for hiding small cracks and chips. It is possible to see the edges of some of the chips where they extend slightly below the silver. Covering damage or protecting the rim from damage in this way was common in the 18th century. It also added a more European style to this luxury import from China.

In our collection there are several examples of ceramic bowls that have had silver rims and attachments added for repair or decoration.

5. Stone mould

This stone mould dates to the 16th century. It would have been used to cast metal. There are designs of crucifixes, Christian symbols, on both sides, and also other incised designs. Judging by the number of depictions on the stone it is clear it has been reused a number of times to create various moulds for designs

6. Wooden figurine

Dating to the 1st century BC this Egyptian figurine may have been from a miniature wooden boat, the type that were included as grave goods buried with the Pharaohs. These goods and items were to accompany them into the afterlife. 

Clearly seen on the chest of the figure is a small circle that appears to be a hole that has been plugged. It goes right through the object. As this is not a usual feature for these figures it seems likely that it is a small repair, perhaps to replace a knot or a hole in the wood.

7. Cape Castle Bucket

This Bronze Age bucket was found in a bog in Co. Antrim. It has been repaired numerous times, particularly around the base, indicating that is was used a lot during its life time. We do not have any information of what else was found with it, but there are other examples of buckets, just like this one, which were buried with a “hoard”, a range of other objects. Hoards deposited in this manner are associated with ritual and ceremony, and so this indicates that this bucket was a very significant object.

Two examples of identical buckets can be found in the British Museum and In the Museum of Wales.

8. Bone ice skate

Ice skates made from bone have been found from as early as 3000BC, although this one is believed to be Viking. Usually they were made from the metapodial bone (the longest bone in the foot) of cattle or horses. The surface that was in contact with the ice would have been worn smooth, and holes were drilled in the front and the back for leather strips to hold the skate on the foot.

Bone would have been part of the general food waste. This skate is one of the many ways that bone was recycled. Other examples of recycled bone in this collection include a whistle, a comb and a knife handle.

9. Stone Axehead

This Neolithic axehead dates to between the 5th to 3rd millennium BC. It is made of green tuff, a soft stone formed out of volcanic ash. It has been badly broken with the blade and the butt both very damaged.

On one side circular motifs have been carved into the surface, one of them encloses a cross. As we know this motif is a Christian symbol we know the carving has been done thousands of years after the axehead was originally made and used. The reuse of this piece could have been to repurpose the axehead as a christian object, or, more likely, it was used as a practice surface before carving on another object or item.

10. Bracelet

This bracelet has been made using two diamanté shoe buckles joined with a hinge and clasp.

Samuel Pepys provides us with the first written mention of shoe buckles, writing in his diary on the 22nd January 1660 “This day I began to put on buckles to my shoes, which I have bought yesterday of Mr Wooton.”

They were fashionable, particularly among the wealthy classes, only going out of style in 1790 when the French Revolution turned people against showy in fashion in favour of more simpler styles of dress. The use of shoe buckles did continue with female fashion, and also continued to be used in ceremonial and court dress well into the early 20th Century.

Shoe buckles were made of a variety of metals, including silver, bronze, and pewter. They could also be highly decorative and incorporate gemstones or designs.

11. Ivory casket

This small ivory casket dates to the 13th century, however the lock on the front is a later addition, possibly dating to the 14th century.

The box itself is ivory, with gilded rope straps around the body and set with semi precious stones. It is a beautiful piece that would have had high value as it has many precious materials used in its manufacture.

The later addition of an iron lock has been done by reshaping and reconfiguring some of the elements of the body, removing one of the straps and reshaping another to create a “pin” for the locking mechanism

12. Jewellery set

All the pieces of this jewellery set, a necklace, ring and cufflinks, are made from cogs of old verge pocket watches. The highly decorated cogs were part of the inner mechanism of the watch, and date to the 18th and 19th centuries.

Jewellery made from watch parts became fashionable in the late 19th century, although these pieces possibly date to slightly later.