Name/Title
Invisible (concealed) zipper, light blueEntry/Object ID
2025.1.96Description
A single closed-end zipper in light blue / turquoise, shown coiled in two views. It is of the concealed ("invisible") type, in which the spiral coil is set behind the tape so that, when sewn into a garment, only a fine seam line shows. The narrow woven tape carries a continuous synthetic coil along one edge; a small moulded slider with a short, plain pull-tab sits near the lower (closed) end, and a metal bottom stop terminates the coil. The upper ends of the tape are cut and unfinished (open at the top).The zipper looks salvaged from a garment.Use
Kept by Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez with many other zippers.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collection, Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez collecitionMade/Created
Notes
Date
Circa late 20th century (undetermined). Based on the synthetic coil construction and concealed design, which became common in home and commercial sewing in the later 20th century; no datable marks are present.Materials
Material Notes
Materials
Synthetic textile tape (likely polyester or nylon); synthetic (nylon) coil; moulded plastic slider and pull; metal bottom stop.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Gertrudis Caraballo GálvezNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
preservationResearch Notes
Notes
Zippers, thread, buttons, and similar haberdashery carried particular significance in the Cuban context, where shortages of ready-made clothing and imported goods made home sewing, mending, and the reuse of components an essential household practice. Sewing supplies were frequently stockpiled, traded, and reused.Created By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
November 19, 2025Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 20, 2026
