Segelschiff
Dreidecker-Linienschiff HMS Impregnable, der Royal Navy
Dating
ca. 1800Description
Dreidecker-Linienschiff HMS Impregnable, der Royal Navy. Äusserst feine Arbeit, vermutlich sog. Gefangenenmodell. Modell aus Holz, bemalt. Sehr filigrane Takelage, vermutlich teilweise aus Haar. Vorbild: 110 Geschütze.Object type
Object (three-dimensional)Geography
Place of manufacture: GrossbritannienMaterial / Technique
Holz, bemaltDimensions
35 x 10 x 28 cm 1 kgInventory number
VHS-7954Legend
Prisoner-of-War Ship Models
During the revolutionary wars from 1793 to 1815 more than 100 000 French seamen were in British captivity as prisoners of war. They were held in laid up ships, the so-called hulks, or in camps.
In order to make the living conditions more bearable, some prisoners built models out of bones, straw and other cheap materials, expending a great deal of time to produce exquisitely filigreed works. The model constructors had neither plans nor proper workshops available, so the models created have a unique individual character.
True, the proportions are mostly not correct, the masts are often much too high, and the ornamental carving also is usually more splendid than the prototype on the original ships. In spite of this, these models convey a precise impression of the ships in those days. Many of the model builders had spent years at sea, knew the ships inside and out and thus were able, in portraying a single ship, to capture the typical features of the sailing ships of their time. So the prisoners’ models, although not derived from a longstanding tradition, rightly belong to the domain of popular art.
Technical data
Main colour
braunType of propulsion
WindantriebSystematics
• Sailing boots
• Ocean navigation