ANONYMOUS; CA. 1805

Details

A Miniature Napoleonic Prisoner of War Model of the Forty-gun Ship LA Phoebe
Anonymous; ca. 1805
A very fine miniature model with the hull carved from solid ivory with the waist scored in three lines with the gun deck above. At the bow the model is fitted with carved trail boards in the form of an ancanthus leaf leading up to a carved and polychrome figurehead of a woman in a long blue dress. At the stern, the quater galleries are carved, pierced and polychromed. The transom is also carved and pierced with columns and female figures. At the center of the transom is a portrait of a figure surrounded by laurels with the name of the ship inscribed below. The deck is simple but is fitted with numerous details which include: head rails, anchors (of hammered brass), capstans, center deck opening with carved and pierced railings, companionway, ships wheel, cannons on sleds, ship's boat on davits over the stern, and other details all of which is modeled in ivory. The model is rigged with standing and running rigging which includes: ratlines, forestayes, backstays, bracing lines, etc. The model is fitted with three ivory masts with ivory cross spars and other rigging details. The model sits on a raised ivory platform which has been carved and pierced with architectural details surronding the perimeter and has a pierced and carved floral motif on the deck. All of which is carved from ivory.
9¾ x 5½ x 8 in. (24.7 x 13.9 x 20.3 cm.) cased dimensions.

Provenance

Parker Gallery, London

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Material from Endangered Species. Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country

Lot Essay

La Phoebe is a fifth rate British Warship. She participated in the Battle of Trafalgar, the Battle of Mauritius, and the Battle of Java. She was sold in 1841. Interestingly, Pheobe is the surname of Artemis, the goddess of the moon.

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