Busselton Historical Society > Records

Rope Handle on Wooden Wedge

Subcollections
Maritime
Overview

Rope handle from a seaman's chest which is attached to a wooden wedge by Monkey Fist knots

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-124-2024.118
Item type
Objects
Themes
Social History
Material
Hemp
Wood
Width
13 cm
Height or length
18 cm
Depth
6 cm
Contextual information

The origin of the Monkey's Fist knot is as a heaving line knot used on ships of sail of yesteryear. However, the knot is now more popular as a decorative knot and can be found in sizes small to large: from key chains to door stopper weights. The size of the knot is dependent on the thickness of the rope in which it is tied and the number of turns made. Often a spherical object such as a golf ball, marble, or tennis ball is used in the center of the knot to help attain a more perfect round shape and give the knot weight.

Keywords
Maritime Objects
Primary significance criteria
Social or spiritual significance
Last modified
Saturday, 21 February, 2026
Completeness
72
Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

Rope handle that would have been mounted on a Seaman's chest
Rope handle that would have been mounted on a Seaman's chest

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