Shetland Museum and Archives showcase Gunnister Man products
Products inspired by the Gunnister Man’s hat and purse have been developed by local textile workers through the Shetland Amenity Trust retail product development project. The 300 year old artefacts are so well preserved that, through detailed research by Dr Carol Christiansen, of Shetland Museum and Archives, and the local craftspeople who made the products, individual stitches could be recorded and patterns made.
Dr Christiansen said: “Considering the age of the textiles, the detail was incredible. This allowed us to develop accurate patterns, even down to replicating minor flaws which occurred when the original items were made.“
The purse was developed by Sheila Newcombe and Jean Fullerton, who work under the trade name Shana. Jean is a niece to James Johnson, one of the men who made the Gunnister Man discovery in 1951. The purse features the first evidence of two colour patterned knitting in the Isles and contains three 17th century coins and a length of ribbon, reflecting the items the Gunnister man carried when found. Sheila and Jean said: “We are delighted and honoured to be involved in the Gunnister Man project and to have been chosen to produce a replica purse. Due to Jean’s connection to the discovery, the commission is both of historical and personal significance and we hope people are happy with the final product.”
Doreen Brown, of Shetland Collection, was commissioned to reproduce the hat the Gunnister Man was wearing when buried. Doreen said: “It was a challenge to reproduce the pattern faithfully but I enjoyed doing it and am very satisfied with the finished product. Using only naturally coloured Shetland wool, the crown has been hand knitted and the remainder of the hat hand framed. I can’t wait to see it launched at the Gunnister Man exhibition opening, it will make an ideal gift in the traditional style from Shetland.”
Both products are available in a range of natural Shetland wool colours, including those of the original artefacts, and the hat is available in two sizes. The price of the hat is £25 and the purse £20. The products will go on sale at the exhibition opening on 12th September. However, anyone wishing to pre-order the items can do so now at the Museum and Archives.