Beauty from the Sea
Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • April 19, 2016
Be this then a lesson to thy soul – that thou reckon nothing worthless.
And herein as thou walkest by the sea shall weeds be a type and an earnest {?}
Of the stored and uncounted riches, lying hid in all creatures of God.
This book of pressed Nantucket seaweed is one of many found in the MMA’s various collections. This one, dating from 1830, has been on exhibit in Hinchman House for many years but this first page has not been seen in many, many years as the other pages have been on display. (The transcription of the poem is above) I have often collected, pressed and dried seaweed in the belief I was going to create some pieces of art with them. Alas, I never seem to manage the time! But this is an art form that is becoming more popular again. It requires some time and dexterity but who would have thought it would create such beauty? You never know what Mother Nature can help to create. Something you step on or toss at someone at the beach, can become a beautiful wreath surrounding a poem, or an important piece of sea-life scientific information for the future.
JNLF
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