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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

 

SHIP	STAND

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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

BOTTOMS

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11.95 SAILOR'S NEEDLE CASE. Long 19th century sailmaker's needle case. This fine example of working sailor folk art consists of a carved wooden tube with a matching "plug" cap which joins with a 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 long, slender example measures 7 1/2 inches long by 1 inch in diameter and is complete with 3 old triangular-shaped heavy sail canvas needles. Excellent original condition with a rich, deep brown surface. Interestingly, due to shrinkage of the wooden cap with age, the sailor bound a piece of sail canvas to act as a "shim!" A very nice deck hand's needle case from the days of sail. 229

OPEN

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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

CLOSED

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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. 795

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.

REVERSE	PLATE

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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.

SHIP

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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

REVERSE

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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

TOP DETAIL	MIRROR

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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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11.55 SAILOR'S BELT. Very unusual 19th century sailor's belt woven entirely of small cotton line in a seamanlike manner. This fine example of sailor folk art macramé work measuring 35 inches long overall consists of meticulously woven hitching with a decorative representation of anchor chain links literally within the fabric of the belt. Finishing off this lovely ropework piece is the distinctive belt buckle hand carved from a single piece of mother-of-pearl! Excellent condition with slight wear. A wonderful example of utilitarian sailor folk art knot work. 295

DETAIL

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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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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.

REVERSE	BOW	DETAIL	FOREDECK	STERN	VALUATION

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