Casgliadau Arlein

Mari Lwyd model. Made for the National Museum of Wales in 1919 by H. W. Evans of Solva to illustrate the type of Mari Lwyd in use in the area in the late 1800s.

Made from a square of undyed tabby cotton which has been folded over into a triangle. The edges on one side have been folded inwards and the side has been partly stitched up with coarse running stitches using white s-twist thread (cellulosic). The resulting 'pointy pocket' has been painted with brown ink with the features of a mouse: whiskers and eyes. Ears cut from dark blue stiffened linen canvas have been stitched to either side. The mouse has been padded out with cotton wool which appears to be stiffened in some way. Row of previous stitch holes along one of the edges and remains of stitching thread.