Bone Prisoner of War Model of British Warship

model

MODELS - VESSELS - FULL
England
1792-1815
bone
overall: 10 x 11 x 4 1/2 in. (case); 6 3/4 x 6 1/4 x 1 3/8 in. (model)

French-made bone Prisoner of War model of a 56-gun British warship with its original bone waterline base and mahogany glazed case; no date, likely between 1792-1815. POW models were made by French prisoners in British prisons and sold during prison market days so that the prisoner could have food and clothing and other goods supplied to him. Full model drops into bone waterline base, keel visible below when case is open; decorated paper adhered to wooden top of the base to simulate the sea, all four edges of base decorated with green vine; four carved bone posts mounted at each corner of the base and small bone feet located below the posts at each corner. Bone model is intricately detailed; red open gunport doors placed above the lower level of cannons (third from the stern missing on starboard side), black stripe separates rows of cannons; figurehead mounted on the bow in the form of a military officer; original paper flags appear over the bow spirit and on the flagpole at the stern; spars are additionally made of bone. Rigging is mostly intact, a few strings have broken from the bow and one string connecting the central mast to the port-side of the stern has disconnected. Two small vessels connected to warship on either side, rigging has broken in places. Mahogany veneer period case is glazed on all four sides; top of case is curved with bone lifting pull; case has hinged door on starboard side of the model which allows the model to be removed for closer inspection. Overall good condition; surface of the model is dusty, some paint has chipped and fallen onto base, rigging broken in places. Overall: 10 x 11 x 4 1/2 in. (case); 6 3/4 x 6 1/4 x 1 3/8 in. (model).

2022.55