Curated by Amber Laurie, Senior Curator of Marine History, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic Can you help us? We know what this object is, why objects of this type were created, and where they were likely made. However, we do not have an exact date, know the identity of the sailor, or know the specific names of the shells used in its creation.  In the comments, you can help us by answering the following questions: When was the Halifax-based photography studio (Moss Photograph Co.) in...

What happens when we gather around objects? At the inaugural Material Culture of the Atlantic conference, nearly seventy-five participants came together at Dalhousie University to explore how material things—crafted, worn, built, and remembered—shape histories, identities, and everyday life.

Our first Mystery Object invites you to look closely, slow down, and speculate. What can this ensemble—its materials, construction, and signs of wear—tell us about labour, place, and everyday life? Share your guesses, and join us as we gather around the object ahead of the January reveal.