SAILOR FOLK ART
Catalog Page 11
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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. 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 wide. 395 |
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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. 
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11.11 CASED DOMINO SET. Good, 19th century set of whale bone and ebony dominoes. This full set of double sixes contains 28 pieces of unusually fine quality. Each game piece is made of dense panbone, ivory-like in its appearance, sandwiched to an ebony slab, precisely riveted with a brass pin. Particularly unusual is the fact that each of the dominoes are colored in red! All of the bones faces bear their original polish and have acquired a deep age patina. The set is housed within its original hardwood box with machine dovetailed joints and sliding lid. 6 1/2 inches long by 2 3/8 inches wide and 2 ¼ inches high. Original and outstanding in all respects. A very nice, uniquely polychromed set. 295
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11.08 SHIP IN A BOTTLE. Classic, early 1900’s sailor-made ship in a bottle of a large 4-masted bark. This especially fine example of seafarer folk art exhibits careful attention to scale and execution of the masts, yards and rigging. Small black beads are used as blocks. Details include a focs’le with capstan and life lines forward, 3 deck houses on the main deck amidships, and poop deck with steering gear, binnacle, skylight and life lines aft. The ship flies the Italian ensign aft and is plying a blue putty sea. Of particular note and charm is the depiction of a lighthouse station flying a pennant in the neck of the bottle! Further adding to its desirability is the beautifully macraméd stopper done in a true seaman-like manner. This old glass bottle measures 11 inches long by 3 ¼ inches in diameter and is embossed “WINE, 4/5 QUART.” It is exceptionally clean, clear and bright, making for a most pleasing presentation. Complete with very nice original walnut and brass display stand. 795
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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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11.05 RARE EARLY SEA CHEST. Genuine 18th century seaman's chest of unusually large size. This classic old sailor's trunk with its distinctively canted sides is one of the earliest ever offered for sale! The massive 2 piece lid with peak is secured to the body with hand-forged iron strap hinges and rose head nails. The peak assured drainage much like a roof in wet conditions, and also precluded heavy objects from being stacked on top of it. To further protect its precious contents, the lid has an overlapping "skirt." The interior retains its original old red and white paint with the initials "H W" and date "1779" prominently painted with bold strokes. The chest has a nice pine till with hinged lid on one end and evidence of a compartmentalized divider on the other. An old lever lock and striker plate are in place, evidencing changes over the centuries. For maximum value and desirability, this fine old chest retains both of its original tightly woven sailor-macraméd beckets! Each is masterfully executed with meticulous Spanish hitching decorated with 4 Turk's head knots. This chest is in a remarkable state of original preservation, considering that it is over 230 years old! The rich dark brown age patina on all surfaces is original. Of course there are minor dings, cracks, chips and losses expected of such a venerable working shipboard piece. 48 inches long by 22 inches wide at the base, tapering to 18 inches wide at the top and 18 inches high. Without question the earliest, dated sea chest we have ever seen! And a true bargain at that! 1995
With the passing of what is known as the Glorious Era of Sail, the ancient custom of sailors' sea chests aboard ship came to an end. Rarely found in the naval service, often seen on the merchantmen, the sea chest was always carried by the whalers.
Today an occasional specimen turns up in an old barn, attic or country auction, whereupon it suddenly acquires a value that would astound its former owner. This is as it should be, for it represents an era and a breed of man long since gone, and an art that would be lost to posterity were it not for the interest of today's collectors.
The sea chest was the sailor's wardrobe, his secret hiding place, his hope chest, the repository of his pitifully few treasures -- his one bit of privacy where privacy was almost nonexistent.
Except for the cheap affairs with cast iron handles, the sailor invariably made his own beckets -- no two of them made alike. Weeks and months of odd moments went into making these rope beckets, for they were the culmination of all that he had learned of his craft. In fact sea chest beckets represent the highest type of marlinspike seamanship. (Hervey Garrett Smith, "The Marlinspike Sailor." )
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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 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/4 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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11.73 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. 275
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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
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11.03 SAILOR's NEEDLE CASE. Genuine mid-19th century sailor-made needle case from the age of sail. This classic example of working sailor folk art is in the form of a sailmaker's case consisting 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 surface, which also spoke of the sailor's abilities as an accomplished seaman. This outstanding example measures 6 3/4 inches long by 1 inch in diameter and is complete with 3 old triangular-shaped sail canvas needles, all signed "WL." Excellent original condition with a rich old surface. 295
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11.99 SHIP IN BOTTLE. Genuine late
19th century ship in a bottle model of a 4-masted auxiliary steam
sailing bark. This extremely detailed bottle model features a large,
well proportioned carved wooden hull with raised foc'sle forward and
raised poop deck with tumblehome aft. Both are meticulously rigged
with lifelines -- a detail rarely found in bottle models. The ship is
also equipped with its foc'sle capstan, two lifeboats and Charlie
Noble, prominent deck house with smoke stack amidships and skylight
aft. The 4 large wooden masts are set into the ship's hull, in the
manner found in these older models. The yard arms are finely
fashioned and beautifully scaled to the hull. In contrast, the
standing and running rigging are rove with oversize glass bead
"blocks." The hull of the vessel is painted in the traditional manner
with faux gun ports. The long necked bottle has a stylized "W.W."
impressed on the bottom and bears numerous bubbles with a slight
purplish hue in testament to its age. The bottle measures 12 inches
long and the ship measures 6 inches long. Complete with
original wooden display stand with mortised joints. Offered
here as originally sealed and in untouched condition. Such auxiliary
steam sailing ships were prevalent in the brief period between 1850
and 1870.
795
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11.96 CANDLESTICKS. A very unusual example of 19th century sailor folk art in the form of a matched pair of candle holders. This set consists of turned inner wooden cores overlaid by meticulous fancy ropework known as McNamara work or sailors' macramé. The surfaces were then shellacked to make them durable and watertight. The bases retain their original non-scratch felt bottoms. 10 inches tall by 4 3/4 inches in diameter. Excellent original condition exhibiting a deep rich age patina. 195/pr
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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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11.60 BELL ROPE. Hard to find 19th century sailor-woven macramé bell rope. This beautifully made decorative ship's appliance is woven entirely of small cotton cordage available to the talented deck hand while at sea. It consists of a bulbous lanyard done in spiral needle hitching which terminates with Turk's head knots on each end. The handle is finished with the same hitching and another Turk's head at the bottom. This fine example of 19th century sailor folk art knot work measures 16 1/2 inches long. It has a nice slightly worn surface with excellent patina indicative of its age. It is quite sturdy and pliant and would be an exceptional accent piece for a nice bell. Antique bell ropes of this quality are rare! 275
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2.78 PRISONER OF WAR BONE SHIP MODEL.
Genuine and classic late 18th or very early 19th century P.O.W.
ship model as constructed by French prisoners in British prisons
during the Napoleonic Wars (1790-1810), fashioned entirely out of
beef bone and wood with copper fittings. This hand-made near-scale
ship model represents an especially sleek double decker of 48 guns.
True to the incredible detail for which these prisoner of war model
makers were renown, this example exhibits remarkable detail and
execution for its size. Of particular note is the carved bone
figurehead of a helmeted warrior holding a sword in his left hand.
Behind him the beak head of the ship is authentically carved and
detailed with exquisitely rigged standing rigging to the tops of the
foremast. Forward of the foremast is are a complex series of woven
shrouds. Working aft, dead eyes, standing rigging and ratlines to
each of the 3 masts are done so intricately as to defy imagination!
The masts and spars are all of equal quality and complexity.
Remarkably, the rigging and each of the lines which comprise it,
appear to be completely original! Deck detailing
includes anchors, anchor buoy, capstan, boats, belfry, hatch covers,
combing, ladders, fife rails, deck planking, gratings and more. The
bulwarks exhibit the brass cannon with most of the gun ports open,
but 4 closed for effect. The pinned and planked hull is nicely
executed. At the stern, the carved quarter galleries and stern
galleries are finely detailed. The model stands on its original
marquetry and painted wooden base supported upon two turned bone
pedestals. Throughout its construction this lovely model exhibits
hundreds of tiny copper pins used as fasteners. It measures 14 inches
long overall, 12 1/4 inches high and 6 inches wide. It is in an
incredible state of original preservation evidencing good age, but no
damage or repairs. Certainly one of the most important aspects of
collecting models from this era is to find an example with original
rigging. Here it is!
The undisputed authoritative reference on such models is the hard cover book by Ewart C. Freeston entitled "Prisoner of War Ship Models 1775-1825," 1973, Conway Maritime Press, Ltd., London. An original copy of this marvelous book shall be included as part of this offering with our compliments.
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Also see catalog pages 2, 4 and 20 for more sailor-made folk art
items
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