11. Sailor Folk Art

11.72  SAILOR’s NEEDLE CASE.  Classic mid-19th century or earlier sail maker’s needle case in two-part wooden construction.  This unusually large example of working marlinspike seamanship features a meticulously macraméd surface done in tight Spanish hitching.  The tubular case joins in the middle with a tight press fit.  Of considerable note is that the case holds 25 original sail canvas needles of varying sizes!  The case measures 6 3/8 inches long by 1 ¾ inches in diameter.  The needles vary in size from 2 ¾ inches long up to 4 ¼ inches.  Overall condition is outstanding in all respects. A great example of 19th C. working sailor folk art! 199

11.71  SEA CHEST BECKETS.  Very large, especially handsome matched pair of genuine mid-19th century American sailor-macraméd sea chest handles known as "beckets" in patriotic red, white and blue colors.  The meticulously woven handles exhibit 5 forms of complicated knot-tying that only a seasoned veteran of the old maritime trade could produce.  They are classic marlin spike examples made with a "puddinged" bolt passing through the two eyes of the becket loop terminating in star knots.   The bolt is fitted with typical starburst leather washers on both sides of the becket loops.  The loops were tarred for strength then painted in patriotic red, white and blue.  The blue pigment has long since oxidized in its marine environment – a testament to age and actual use aboard a sailing ship with damp quarters.  These beckets are extremely stout and in unusually fine condition.  They measure 11 ¼ inches long by 6 inches wide at the widest.  The distance from the bolt to the bottom of the becket is exactly 10 inches.  Marlin spike ropework is an aspect of nautical collecting which, along with scrimshaw, epitomizes the finest of sailor folk art.   949

Currently, a quality pair of reproduction beckets is being offered for $1200 at:  http://www.marlinespike.com/beckets.html

11.68   SHIP IN BOTTLE.  Without question one of the finest examples of its type ever made.  We have handled scores of genuine sailor folk art bottle dioramas in our 40 year tenure, and this is certainly one of the very finest!  It features a 4-masted sailing bark with sails furled, flying flags and pennants from all 4 masts.  At the fore is the owner's flag.  At the main is the house flag.  The ship's name pennant "WILLIAM" flies from the mizzen.  The aft mast flies the   ship's call sign flag hoist.  The "old duster" British ensign flies aft.  Each of the masts carries 6 yard arms beautifully rigged with standing rigging and thimbles.  Not only that, each or the masts is capped with its mast truck!  This incredibly detailed bottle model begins with a carved and painted figurehead under the bowsprit.  The raised foc'sle exhibits a capstan, anchor catheads and its port and starboard running lights.  Running aft on the main deck, there are 3 houses.  Two carrying lifeboats and the main hatch with lifelines and other structures.  The raised poop at the stern has lifelines, skylight and steering gear box below the prominent spanker boom.  Along the ship's sides the gunwales bear traditional painted gun ports, black boot topping and a red hull.  The entire presentation is contained in an early hand-blown glass whiskey bottle with a greenish tinge and thick bottom.  It is housed in a spectacular reticulated wooden stand cut out with floral designs and a heart at the very top.  The bottle is sealed with its original cork under sealing wax.  Interestingly the cork displays the date "1895."  The bottle itself is 11 inches long, 3 inches think and 4 ¼ inches wide.  The entire stands measures 9 ¼ inches long by 12 inches high and 5 ½ inches wide.   Incredibly this delicate example of sailor folk art is in outstanding original condition in all respects!  The bottle is clear and the contents are in perfect untouched condition.  Unquestionably museum quality. SOLD

The 4-masted barque WILLIAM was launched by the Cornwallis Ship Yard in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1869 for W.J. Stairs & Company.  She was 162 feet in length and displaced 713 tons.  She sailed under British registry, homeported in Halifax.  ("Record of American & Foreign Shipping," American Shipmasters Association, New York, 1885 Edition, page 993).

4.81 /11.64   SAILOR's SCRIMSHAW BLACKJACK.  Very rare early 1800's sailor-made weapon used by an American sailor for his personal protection.  This very handsome rope-laid device has two "working ends" consisting of lead-weighted knobs meticulously macraméd in tight Spanish hitching  on each end of the surprisingly flexible shaft made of whale baleen!  12 ½ inches long by 1 ¼  inches thick on the knobs and the baleen shaft is ½ inch thick.  A great sailor-made object with a huge amount of intrigue behind it!   895

During the 18th and 19th centuries a sailor literally took his life in his hands when going ashore in a foreign port.  Press gangs, "land sharks" and thieves lay waiting in every alley and dark corner to take advantage of an unsuspecting or inebriated victim.  With pointed knives and guns prohibited aboard ship, it came down to the seasoned sailor to equip himself with an acceptable means of self defense.  This most often evidenced itself in the form of a sailor's black jack -- also known as a "come along," head knocker, press-gang tool or "cosh."  The owner/maker took great pride in this personal protective tool, lavishing great care and skill in its construction.  Here is a wonderful whaling-related example in amazingly well preserved condition.

11.04  P.O.W. GAMEBOX.  Authentic late 18th or very early 19th century "game casket" made by French prisoners in British prisons during the Napoleonic Wars.  This fine, unusually large example is constructed entirely of beef bone and wood, with colored paper and even genuine gold foil!  The box, in the form of a 4-poster bed with bone columns, is finely constructed of pine with pinned and dowelled fittings.  Overlaying the wooden structure the entire surface is covered by meticulously carved bone panels done with incredible detail.  These are affixed in the classic manner with scores of metal rivets!  The sliding lid is "domed" and decorated with reticulated bone panels overlying green paper and two "clubs" of gold.  All four sides of the box are decorated in a similar manner with "sashes" and recurring designs.  The interior of the box is divided into 3 compartments.  The largest houses a full set of 55 double nines bone domino pieces!  The second holds hand-painted bone playing cards of which there are more than 25 pieces.  The third compartment holds 2 pairs of bone die.  This rare set measures 9 inches log, 3 ½ inches wide and 2 ¼ inches high.  The entire presentation is in a remarkable state of original preservation considering the delicacy of its construction and its 200 + years.  2295

11.65   PATRIOTIC EAGLE CARVING.  Splendid, incredibly detailed medallion of a spread wind eagle carved from a coconut shell!  This superb little carving depicts the sailors' skills at their finest.  Known for producing scrimshaw of unbelievable beauty, this folk art medium rivals the artistry of engraving and carving ivory.  The eagle is shown in high relief with a sunburst banner enclosed by an arched foliate floral arch above.   The detail is exquisite and bears scrutiny under magnification.   Whereas scrimshaw is typically associated with marine mammal ivory and materials found aboard ship and/or in the whaling grounds, this example is clearly from the tropics where the bulk or scrimshaw in the 19th century was produced.   2 ½ inches wide by 3 ½ inches tall.  Excellent, untouched, really amazing, original condition.  179

11.63  RARE SEA BAG LOCK.  Very scarce 19th century sailor macraméd sea bag closure.  This unique device was used to rove through the grommets of a sailor’s canvas sea bag and lock it shut.  This decorative example was obvious made of pride by the experienced seaman.  It is very similar to the highly prized see chest beckets of the era, consisting of heavy duty woven leather and braided cotton which accommodate a brass pin with a small padlock closure on the end.  This offering is complete with the original and functional lock and key!.  It measures 4 ¾ inches wide and 4 inches high exclusive of the lock.  Much rarer than traditional sea bag beckets which are currently commanding very high prices from collectors at prices of $600 and above.  A great example of functional sailor artistry.  SOLD

11.57  SHIP IN A BOTTLE.  Extra nice turn-of-the last-century ship in a bottle depicting a 3-masted bark flying the French flag from its after mast.  This beautifully detailed example has a carved solid wooden hull plying a wavy green putty sea.  The focs’le and poop deck have detailed life lines.  The deck has two houses, the forward house has two life boats on top and its Charlie Noble issues smoke.  The masts and spars are nearly to scale.  The standing rigging is made in the traditional way with the lines being rove through the wooden components.  Of particular note, this bottle diorama has a charming little tug boat on its port side forward belching very realistic smoke from its stack.   Perhaps the most desirable feature of this example is the wonderful clarity of its molded glass whiskey bottle embossed “ONE QUART.”  The bottom has additional markings which may indicate a date of 1894.   The bottle is stoppered with a cork and sealed with blue sealing wax.  11 ¼ inches long by 3 ½ inches in diameter.  One of the better ships in bottles we have encountered in the last several years.  649

11.58 CARVED COCONUT.  Unique, mid-1800’s or earlier, sailor-carved coconut from the South Pacific.  This great example has precise meticulously-carved geometrical designs over its entire surface.   The absolutely exacting designs speak of an incredibly-skilled craftsman.  This type of “horn” was often used to carry black powder.  There is no evidence here to suggest that was its function.  More so, it was the work of a gifted sailor intended to impress.  5 by 4 inches.  Perfect original condition.  Worth much more!  396

11.56  BOS’N PIPE with LANYARD.   Genuine early 1900’s sterling silver boatswain’s pipe. This authentic American "call" consists of a large round bowl attached to a gradually tapering pipe which terminates in a flared mouthpiece.  The pipe is affixed to a reinforced shank or "keel" which is impressed "STERLING" on the side.  A suspension loop in the keel retains a fancy sailor-macraméd lanyard which was worn around the sailor's neck as part of his dress uniform. This bos'n call was crafted by a skilled silversmith with a telling mortise joint on the bottom of the shank and a seamless, finely tapering tube.  It measures 5 1/2 inches in length and is in perfect condition and produces a loud, shrill tone.  The lanyard is made of braided cotton and measures 24 inches long fully extended.  295  

HISTORY of the BOATSWAIN'S CALL.

The Call has its beginnings in the days of the English Crusades, 1248 A.D., as a method of alerting troops to arms.  Documented in 1485 A.D., the call was used as an honored badge of rank, then being worn by the Lord High Admiral of England.  Undoubtedly it was worn because it was used as a method of passing orders, and therefore signified authority.  When the Lord High Admiral, Sir Edward Howard, was killed in action off Brest in 1513 while commanding French Galleys, a "Whistle of Honour" was presented to him posthumously by the Queen of France.  From about that time onward the call was no longer used as a badge of rank, reverting to its original use as a method of passing orders only.  About 1671 the name Call was well established, lasting to the present day.  In the U.S. Navy the call is often referred to as a Boatswain's Pipe

11.75 SEAM RUBBER. Particularly well executed mid-19th hand held tool used by a sailor to crease a fold in sail cloth prior to stitching. This genuine sailmaker's seam rubber is fashioned from a single piece of oak with an octagonally-faceted shaft, tapered "blade" and octagonal rounded knob. The shaft is drilled through, presumably to accommodate a thong. Adding to its charm and identification as sailor folk art, the knob is inlaid with a lovely disc of mother-of-pearl. This scarce instrument is rich with wear and patina attesting to years of actual use aboard a sailing ship. 4 1/2 inches long. A very charming tangible example sailing history. 229

11.45   EXCEPTIONAL CARVED FRAME.   Beautifully- carved and inlaid picture frame made from a single panel of rich African mahogany in the form of a ship’s lifering.  This especially nice presentation features marguetry butterflies made of varietal woods inlaid on the left and right of the ring.  The center features a rectangular opening for inserting a photograph, presumably of the sailor who carved it.  Flanking each side of the opening are carved daisies with thistle-like flowers resembling anchors, above and below.  At the top of the ring is the marguetry wood inlaid “HMS,” and the bottom “CODETIA.”   The back is equipped with a hand-cut copper hanging bracket and 4 pivoting retaining wedges.  10 ¾ inches in diameter.   Fabulous original, untouched condition exhibiting a great age patina.  One of the best sailor folk art items we have ever come across.  A real keeper!  195

HMS CODETIA was an Arabis-class sloop launched in 1916 in the service of the Royal Navy’s Fisheries Protection during World War I.  She had a length of 255 feet, a beam of 33 feet 6 inches, a draft of 11 feet 9 inches and displaced 1,250 tons.  After 21 years of wartime and peaceful duties she was broken up in 1937.