West Sea Company

SAILOR FOLK ART

Catalog Page 11


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11.30


11.30  SHIP IN A BOTTLE DIORAMA.   Extra nice early 20th century ship in a bottle diorama depicting a large 4-masted bark passing a town of exceptional size and complexity.  There are at least 30 buildings, several carved wooden trees and a large clock tower in the background.   The ship, with sleek, graceful hull, is carved from a single piece of wood painted blue with a salmon deck.  It flies the owner’s flag from the fore and the Italian merchant ensign aft.  This fine example of sailor folk art is signed on banners above the town “Armandad Elina / Recordad di mi / Remember to me.”  All of this is captured in time within a long neck whiskey bottle of clear glass, showing its age with a pontil on the bottom and bubbles in the glass.  It is capped off with the original cork bearing a star sealed under sealing wax.  The bottle is 11 inches long by 4 inches in diameter.  A remarkable feature of this presentation is its charming wooden stand with classic chipped-carved border and muted green, red and yellow paint.  The stand measures 8 inches long by 3 inches wide.   Condition is exceptional.  The bottle is clear and the interior colors clean and bright.  695  Special Packaging


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11.31   CAT O’ NINE TAILS.  Very scarce!  Genuine late 18th or very early 19th century sailor-made device used to inflict punishment on recalcitrant sailors in the early days of sail.  This fearsome yet artistic example is beautifully macraméd of heavy cotton line using a variety of fancy knotwork methods including 3 Turk’s heads, Spanish hitching and 4-strand sennet. It terminates in a 5 strand Turk’s head with remnants of 4 of the 5 “tails” still remaining.  It is likely that this rare example is actually what was known as a “boy’s cat.”  (See below).  The body measures 12 ½ inches long by 2 inches wide at the widest and 25 inches long overall and weighs 5 ounces.  795

The term was first used in 1695, although the design is much older.   A typical cat o’ nine tails was made up of nine knotted thongs of cotton cord about 2 1/2 feet long, designed to lacerate the skin and cause intense pain.   The name probably came from the fact that the so-called "claws" (thongs) inflicted parallel wounds known as “stripes.”

It traditional use the cat had nine thongs due to the lay of the strands of rope from which it was fashioned.   To make a cat o' nine tails, a rope was unraveled into three smaller ropes, each of which was then unraveled again.

In the Royal Navy, the cat, also known as the captain's daughter, weighed about 13 ounces and consisted of a handle with nine cords.   All formal punishments ordered the captain or courts martial were administered ceremonially on deck, with the crew summoned to "witness punishment."   The drama was enhanced by drum rolls and the whole routine, including pauses, untangling of the tails, drinks of water and so on, protracted the event  intended more for intimidating the crew than punishing the actual recipient.
A new cat was made for each flogging by a boatswain's mate and kept in a red baize bag until it was needed.   In Admiral Nelson’s time the cat was actually made by the condemned sailor who was forced to fabricate it while in irons during the hours prior to his flogging.  In some cases a cat with a wooden handle was used, with steel balls or pieces of wire added to the tips of the thongs to maximize injury.

Also in the Royal Navy, a smaller, lighter model was used on boys and apprentices, known as the “boy's cat” or “boy's pussy.”  It had five tails of smooth whip cord and was half the weight of an adult cat.  But if formally convicted by a courts martial, even boys would suffer punishment from the dreaded adult cat.

After flogging was completed, the sailor's lacerated back was frequently rinsed with brine or seawater, which served as an antiseptic.  While the purpose was to reduce the risk of infection, it caused the sailor to endure additional pain, giving rise to the expression, "rubbing salt into the wound" – which to this day means vindictive or excessively oppressive behavior.

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11.27

11.27  EXQUISITE POWDER HORN.  Early 1800’s British seaman’s powder flask carved from the tough shell of a coconut.  This extraordinary example is meticulously carved with the finest detail depicting several charming vignettes.  Telling of its origins it shows a crown encircled by an oval double rope border near the bottom.  Nearer the top is the carved inscription “MY HART” encircled by a rope border festooned with leaves and five-pointed stars top and bottom.  Two conjoined hearts are pierced by arrows.  These are flanked by two scaly serpents with arrows for tongues.  There is a mythical beast adorning the top complete with scaly back, lizard legs, two open eyes, and a mouth made of faceted pewter which also serves as the flask’s spout.  On either side are pewter mounting lugs which would have been attached to a strap for carrying.  The remainder of the flask is adorned with any number of rosettes, vines, stars, recurring designs, pinwheels and two castles astride a plinth surmounted by pinwheels! Execution of the carving is of the first order.  The fine detail is literally amazing, and bears close scrutiny under magnification – a true testament to the carver’s advanced skills!  5 ½ inches long by 4 ¼ inches in diameter.  Fabulous original condition.POR

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VINES

MY HEART

MOUTH


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11.09

 11.09  AMERICAN SHIP IN BOTTLE DIORAMA.  Good, early 1900’s sailor-made  bottle model of a 3-masted bark, which exhibits many of the characteristics sought after by collectors of this folk art form:

1.  Clear, clean glass bottle of early form.
2.  Carved wooden ship hull with rigging rove through masts and spars.
3.  Ship flying American flag and pennant.
4.  Colorful background depicting a town with several buildings.
5.  Foreground with small steamship.
6.  Original sealed stopper.
7.  Original wooden display stand.

In short, a very pleasing, original and highly collectible example.  The bottle measures 10 inches long by 3 ¼ inches in diameter and the nicely-made solid teak stand measures 11 inches long by 3 inches wide349 

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11.25


11.25  SHIP IN A BOTTLE DIORAMA.  Most charming, early 1900’s ship in a bottle scene depicting a large 3-masterd bark passing a town with numerous features.  These include a large windmill, a derrick lifting a load of lumber on the shoreline, a truss bridge over a river, a town in the hills complete with church tower, and a train on tracks running into a tunnel!  The ship itself has a raised focsle and poop carved from a single piece of wood.  Portholes are depicted along it sides, and it is complete with standing rigging.  The ship plies a blue putty sea and the inside of the bottle has a painted blue sky with clouds.  This is all contained within an early molded whiskey bottle with long neck sealed with the original cork under old red paint.  The glass is clear, the colors bright and the contents are untouched.  11 ¼ inches long by 3 inches in diameter.  395

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SHIP/TRAIN

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11.24

11.24  SHIP’s RUM DIPPER.  Rare!  Authentic mid-19th century shipboard grog dipper as used by sailing ship crews in the 1700’s and early 1800’s.  This genuine example consists of a classic coconut bowl fitted with a pewter connector by means of three rivets.  It fastens to a turned tropical hardwood handle which terminates in a decorative acorn-like finial.  The bowl of the dipper is nicely rounded with a deeply incised line around its entire circumference.  It measures 3 ½ inches across at the mouth and 3 ¾ inches high.  The handle is 11 inches long.  The overall measurement is 15 inches.  Outstanding original condition with no flaws and showing great age.   A super nice relic from the days of sail!  495


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BOWL

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11.23


11.23  UNUSUALLY FINE DOMINO SET.   Especially fine 19th century game set comprising of a full set of 28 ebony and ivory “double sixes” dominoes.  This unusually handsome set has bold black markings highlighted with incised red borders on each piece.  The large game pieces measure 2 inches long by 1 inch wide and are ½ inch thick.  They are made of sandwiched layers of ivory and ebony connected with a central brass rivet.  The entire set fits neatly into its original dovetailed wooden box with sliding lid.  It measures 7 ¾ inches long, by 2 ½ inches wide and high.  Outstanding original condition showing good age but no abuse.  


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11.73

 

11.73 P.O.W. BOX. Rare late 18th or very early 19th century box as made by French prisoners in British prisons during the Napoleonic Wars. This example of P.O.W. straw work consists of a lidded box made of high quality rag or vellum paper, meticulously overlaid by marquetry straw work in a checkerboard pattern on the top surrounded by parallel bands on the top and sides. Contained within is an early, period mirror with telling irregular striations in the glass, surrounded by a hand-punched decorative foliate paper border. This diminutive box measures 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches and is one inch thick. It is in a remarkable state of original preservation given its age and the fragile material from which it is constructed. As such it represents a very rare surviving form of the prisoners' output. 195

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TOP DETAIL
MIRROR

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11.84

11.84 SAILOR'S WOOL. Genuine mid-19th century sailor folk art portrait of a full-rigged ship-of-the-line meticulously hand-stitched on sail canvas using woolen thread! This classic "woolwork" broadside depicts an 80 gun man-o-war flying the British Naval ensign aft with its commissioning pennant streaming from the mainmast. Standing and running rigging are all carefully depicted, as expected of a sailor intimately familiar with the details of his ship. This handsome portrayal measures 13 1/2 by 21 inches sight and is housed in its original gilt-lined bird's eye maple frame -- a standard for such presentations. The frame measures 18 by 25 1/2 inches. Overall condition is excellent. All lines are in tact and there are no losses to the wool as is so often the case with such pictures. Though toned with age, this woolwork is still very bright and colorful. POR  Special Packaging

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11.04

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 example is constructed entirely of beef bone and wood, with colored paper and even some 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 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 plus years.  2295


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11.19

11.19 SAILOR'S NEEDLE CASE. Extra large 19th century sailmaker's needle case. This very fine example of working sailor folk art consists of a carved wooden tube with a matching "plug" cap which joins with a tight press fit. Over each is meticulously woven decorative Spanish hitching done in traditional sailor fashion known as McNamara work or "macramé." Such a covering was functional, providing a wear resistant, easily gripped covering which also spoke of the sailor's abilities as an accomplished seaman. This extra large specimen measures 8 ½ inches long by 1 ½ inches in diameter and is complete with 2 old sail canvas needles. One is triangular-shaped with English markings and the other has an unusual curved “spade” shape. Excellent original condition with a deep, rich old shellacked surface. A very handsome deck hand's needle case from the days of sail. Certainly one of the nicest examples currently on the market. 395


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11.18


11.18  SHIP IN A BOTTLE DIORAMA.  Classic early 1900’s ship in a bottle model depicting a 3-masted bark flying an American flag, passing an American lighthouse station.  The well-detailed ship has a carved and painted wooden hull which plies a green putty sea.  The prominent lighthouse at the rear of the bottle stands next to early Marconi long wire transmission towers, followed by the charming lighthouse keeper’s residence   with two chimneys and a large flagpole flying a oversize American flag!  The scene is contained within a molded glass bottle reading “ONE QUART.”  The long neck of the bottle is decorated with sailor macramé in the form of a Turk’s head knot and stoppered with the original cork under sealing wax.  11 ¼ inches long by 3 ½ inches in diameter.  The bottle is clean, clear and bright.  A very nice example of this early form of sailor folk art, approximately 100 years old at good value.  495 Special Packaging

 

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NECK


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11.92 SEAM RUBBER. Nicely carved 19th century solid rosewood sail maker's seam rubber. This working sailor's tool has a faceted diamond shaped handle which gives way to an octagonal shaft terminating in a broad tapered blade. The shaft has distinctive raised "nibs" where it meets the blade on each side. 4 1/2 inches long by 2 1/4 inches wide. Outstanding original condition with a deep age patina. 695

This is the exact seam rubber pictured on page 126 of Norman Flayderman's book, "Scrimshaw and Scrimshanders, Whales and Whaleman." We will document this fact in writing to the purchaser.

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11.51 FOLK ART CARVING. Incredible 19th century whimsy carved from a single block of wood. This outstanding example of the carver's art depicts a hook and eye attached to a "capture ball" encased in a cage which is is attached to another eye carved with a large circular ring. The amazing aspect of this carving is that it is fashioned from a single piece of pine, requiring both planning and skill to execute in such a detailed manner. The carving measures 10 1/2 inches long and is in outstanding original condition with an excellent oxidized natural wood finish with beautiful patination. 195


11.94 SAILOR'S NEEDLE CASE. Huge 19th century sailmaker's needle case. This exceptionally large example of working sailor folk art consists of a carved wooden tube with a matching "plug" cap which joins with a tight press fit. Over each is meticulously woven decorative Spanish hitching done in traditional sailor fashion known as McNamara work or "macramé". Such a covering was functional, providing a wear resistant, easily gripped covering which also spoke of the sailor's abilities as an accomplished seaman. This amazing example measures 9 1/2 inches long by 1 3/4 inches in diameter and is complete with 2 old triangular-shaped heavy sail canvas needles, both with English markings. Excellent original condition with a rich old surface. A simply great deck hand's needle case from the days of sail! The largest example we have ever seen. 495

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11.75 SEAM RUBBER. Nicely carved mid-19th device used by a sailor to crease a fold in sail cloth prior to stitching. This genuine sailmaker's tool is fashioned from a single piece of oak with an octagonally-faceted shaft, tapered "blade" and rounded knob. It is rich with wear and patina attesting to years of actual use aboard a sailing ship. 4 1/2 inches long. A "living" piece of sailing history. 195

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Also see catalog pages 2, 4 and 20 for more sailor-made folk art items


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