The Navy |

Works of Art

58 items
A painted porcelain bowl of a type often bought as a souvenir to mark a ship passing Kronborg Castle near Elsinor. This example is unusual in that the ship's portrait is shown on two sides, the customary flowers between the cartouches and to the interior. Danish circa 1880.

Kronborg Castle Bowl

show details 		A substantial walking cane, the shaft of whalebone, the knop formed from a whale's tooth, the two seperated with a band of baleen. English/American circa 1850.

Whalebone Walking Cane

show details 		This Chinese tea box has been adapted to comply with the western form of the teacaddy. Originally it would have had several divisions and held a pewter canister in each containing a variety of the tea available to a western merchant. (See

Burrwood & Paktong Teacaddy

show details 		Chinese Export black and gold lacquer teacaddy with scenes of dignitaries and courtesans in palace grounds, a pair of engraved and lidded pewter containers within and standing on four carved and gilded dragon form feet. Chinese circa 1830.

Export Lacquer Teacdaddy

show details
A pair of Paktong candlesticks with inverted fluting to the column and a gadrooned molding to the base and the edge of the lift-out drip pans. Probably Chinese circa 1780. Paktong is a rare Chinese alloy imported in small quantities during the eighteenth century and used by European craftsmen to make domestic objects, sometimes in imitation of silverware. It is a very hard metal, slow to tarnish, and could therefore be used to make articles that looked as if they were made from silver but were in fact as hard as iron. The Adams brothers are known to have employed this metal in the making of fire tools, fenders and the more decorative elements of a fire grate. This metal has been shrouded in mystery since it was first recorded by Western travellers in the seventeenth century. The vital silver-coloured ingredient, nickel, was not identified in the West until the second half of the eighteenth century, and it was to be a further fifty years before scientists were able to perfect a viable imitation of paktong.

Gadrooned Paktong Candlesticks

show details 		A fruit wood snuffbox in the form of a shoe with chip carved designs and inlaid with a bone diamond and a heart to the toe. French early 19th century.

French Snuff Shoe

show details 		A bird cage of split bamboo cane and fretted softwood. Chinese circa 1880.

Bird Cage

show details 		A fine and well balanced Coco de Mer, possibly 18th century. The Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica) is a palm endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. Until the true source of the nut was discovered in 1768, it was believed by many to grow on a mythical tree at the bottom of the sea. European collectors in the sixteenth century would often have the shells of the nut cleaned and decorated with valuable jewels.

Coco de Mer

show details
A fine old whale's tooth in a natural unpolished state, circa mid 19th century.

Whale's Tooth

show details 		A fine scratch built model of a clinker constructed fishing boat with a varnished exterior and painted interior. English circa 1880.

Fishing Boat

show details 		A set of six photographic tiles made by J. H. Barratt & Co Ltd, Stoke on Trent, England. The Right Honourable H. H. Asquith after the photograph by Reginald Haines, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe after Russell & Sons, The Right Honourable David Lloyd George after Ernest H. Mills, General Foch, President Woodrow Wilson and Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig after the photograph by Elliot & Fry Ltd. All are modelled by George Cartlidge, one dated 1916. (Two tiles are a little smaller @ 5 7/8 in x 8 7/8 in)

Six Leaders

show details 		Napoleonic period, possibly prisoner of war, carved and painted wooden nutcracker in the form of a mariner, the cutlass and pipe absent.

Captain Nutcracker

show details
Victorian gilt brass inkwell with a blue enamelled hat ribbon reading

Warrior Inkwell

show details 		An early nineteenth century scrimshawed and pewter mounted coconut

Scrimshawed Bug Bear

show details 		A Scotch Whiskey decanter made for use on ships of the Pacific & Orient line. Etched and cut glass with a thistle form stopper.

P&O Decanter

show details 		Pair of blue and white porcelain bottle vases, circa 1800. One with restoration to the neck, the other with restoration to the body.

Chinese Export Bottle Vases

show details
A good example of a mid Victorian

Trinity House Sewing Box

show details 		A correct representation of the funeral car which conveyed the body of Lord nelson from the Admiralty to St Pauls.

Nelson's Funeral Carriage

show details

American Yacht

show details 		A well presented diarama of the S.S.London, made circa 1870. Carved and painted wooden hull, masts and sea. Very well rigged with painted metal sails. Contained within the original glazed teak display case. The S.S.London was launched from Blackwall 1864. 1732 tons register. Commanded by captain Martin, an Australian navigator of great experience. She foundered and sunk, with 220 lives being lost, 1866 in the Bay of Biscay. (Well, anyone can have a bad day!)

S.S London 

show details
A late 19th century Osbourne ivorex Plaque after the work by Arthur William Devis of 1807,

The Death of Nelson

show details 		A large and unusual sailormade woolwork picture of a Royal Navy Victorian period battleship. Very well detailed with a great sea, beadwork gunports, and steam bellowing from the ship's funnels. Original maple veneered frame.

Victorian Battleship    

show details 		Sailormade woolwork picture of a frigate and cutter, surrounded by flags of allegiance and surmounted by Britannia with the Lion and Unicorn. Contained within it's original maplewood frame.

Britannia and Her Supporters

show details 		Finely stitched sailor made woolwork of a ship-of-the-line passing a fortified headland. Early Victorian. In a period

Royal Navy Frigate

show details
A ship's lantern combination timepiece, polychrome patinated and with a timepiece, barometer and thermometer, one to each side, and with a compass beneath the lantern. French circa 1870.

Ship's Lantern Combination Timepiece    

show details 		A Chinese blue and white tripod censor. Mid 18th Century.

Tripod Censor

show details 		A Victorian teacaddy of sarcophagus form, the front panel inlaid with a scene of the Nore lightship; the lid with a design of flags of our allies at the time. The Nore is a sandbank at the mouth of the Thames estuary near Sheerness. Veneered in burr walnut, bird's eye maple and rosewood. English circa 1880.

Nore Light Ship Tea Caddy

show details 		The terminal from a tiller arm, carved from mahogany in the form of a greyhound's head in full pursuit of it's quarry; representative of speed. These tiller arms are thought to come from the Dutch/Belgium coast and this example dates from the first half of the 19th century.

Tiller Arm

show details
A rare toleware snuffbox produced to commemorate Nelson's glorious victory and death at Trafalgar. Decorated in gold and black on a red ground, the gilt memorial scratched through with 'Cape Trafalgar' and 'Nelson'. English circa 1806.

Nelson Snuffbox

show details 		A Barbadian shellwork 'Sailor's Valentine' the back inscribed 'May 25th 1889 from Frank Lock to Miss Miles.' Sold subject to VAT at the standard rate.

Home Again

show details 		A Barbadian shellwork 'Sailor's Valentine' with the design of a rose set within a mariner's compass and the facing side with a heart set similarly. Sold subject to VAT at the standard rate.

Rose and Compass

show details 		A Barbadian shellwork 'Sailor's Valentine' the left hand section with a love heart and roses, the right hand with the title, all within a cedarwood case. West Indies circa 1870.

A Present From Barbados

show details
A sailormade woolwork picture depicting two Royal Navy ships of the line passing a fortified headland. English circa 1850. In a fine oak frame of the period.

Two Ships Passing a Fortification

show details 		A sailormade woolwork picture of a homestead. It is intersting to note that similar buildings, colours and techniques are often to be found in examples of

The Mariner's Homestead

show details 		A 19th century sailormade woolwork picture depicting four ships of the Royal Navy in open seas. English circa 1850, in the original maple veneered frame.

A Small Fleet

show details 		A sailormade woolwork picture of a Royal Navy frigate in open seas, a further vessel approaching. This woolwork is unusual in that it is (probably) signed by the maker, F. Taylor, in pen and ink along the lower edge of the canvas support. In a period bird's eye maple grained frame.

A Signed Woolwork

show details
A silver and engraved mother-o-pearl tooth-pick box, probably Chinese Export circa 1790.

Tooth-Pick Box

show details 		A good 19th century sailormade woolwork picture of H.M.S. Doris under full sail passing a lighthouse. A label to the reverse from the National Maritime Museum, dated 22 August 1949, states that H.M.S. Doris was a screw frigate of 24 guns launched at Pembroke in 1857. She was of 3800 tons. Being commissioned during a period of comparative peace she did not figure in any great actions. However, she is recorded as having seized the Colombian Government Steamer COLOMBIANO in 1867 but released her soon afterwards. It is assumed that this was an incident in the Spanish South American Wars. Apparently, having no wars of our own to fight we were helping allies fight their battles. Provenance: J. McC Bazire,

H.M.S. Doris

show details 		Engraved pewter tureen in the form of a duck with brass feet, bill and handle, an engraved seal mark beneath both the tureen base and the inner dish. The design for this tureen is derived from Chien Lung porcelain dinner services, most usually made for the European market. See image of late 18th/early 19th century Chinese porcelain example. Chinese circa 1860.

Duck Tureen

show details 		Chinese Export black and gold lacquerware teacaddy in the form of a melon, standing on three carved and gilt wood winged dragon feet and with a typical engraved pewter canister within. Chinese circa 1840.

Export "Melon" Teacaddy

show details
A sailor made woolwork picture of a Royal Navy frigate at sea, the picture in a cartouche surrounded by the flags of alliance nations. English circa 1860, within a period maple veneered frame.

Ship & Flags

show details 		A 19th century Fijian Tabua made from a sperm whale's tooth. The two ends are pierced for a braided coir cord. (The hole at the tip is a replacement for the original hole which has worn itself open through years of wear). 'Tabua' would often be presented to an official or dignitary on their departure from a particular area and it was by this means that many old 'tabua' found their way to Europe.

Small Tabua

show details 		A large white tabua with the remains of a penned drawing depicting two ships at sea. The two ends are pierced for a braided coir cord. Tabua' would often be presented to an official or dignitary on their departure from a particular area and it was by this means that many old 'tabua' found their way to Europe. Fijian, 19th century.

Large White Tabua

show details 		A 'Tabua’ or breast ornament made from the tooth of a sperm whale and with lines cut into the surface perhaps preliminary work for a scrimshaw. The two ends are pierced for a braided coir cord although the base end hole is now opened through chipping. Tabua' would often be presented to an official or dignitary on their departure from a particular area and it was by this means that many old 'tabua' found their way to Europe. Fijian, 19th century.

Scrimmed Tabua

show details
A 'Tabua’ or breast ornament of good even and well formed shape; made from the tooth of a sperm whale. The two ends are pierced for a braided coir cord. 'Tabua' would often be presented to an official or dignitary on their departure from a particular area and it was by this means that many old 'tabua' found their way to Europe. Fijian, 19th century.

Fijian Tabua

show details 		A rare and fine scrimshaw dating from the middle of the 19th century, the whale's tooth being carved in releif with a boquet of flowers. Inscribed with the name M(rs) A Dixon. Other examples of this work, probably by the same hand, have been considered to be Scottish.

Scrimshaw: Dixon

show details 		A 19th century, nievely srimshawed whale's tooth depicting a Victorian lady. English circa 1850.

Lady in a Bonnet

show details 		A scrimshawed whale's tooth depicting a Victorian sailor of the Royal Navy and a young (Maltese) lady playing a guitar. English circa 1860.

Double sided Scrimshaw

show details
A Chinese tea chest, penwork with painted reserves depicting typical Chinese scenes. These chests were simply packing cases for the precious tea being sent to England at the beginning of the 19th century.

Chinese Tea Chest

show details 		A single sailor's shellwork valentine, designed with typical patterns of shells centered with a loveheart and roses and in a cedarwood case. Barbados circa 1850. Sold subject to VAT at the standard rate.

Single Valentine

show details 		A fine and early sailor's valentine, the case veneered in flame mahogany. The left half design is centered with an anchor fashioned from tiny coloured shells whilst the right hand design is based on the mariner's compass. Barbados circa 1830. Sailor's Valentines were made on the Islands of the West Indies, principally Barbados, throughout the 19th century. These islands were often a ships last port of call before returning to home, particularly for vessels of the United States Navy.

A Large Sailor's Valentine.

show details 		A sailor's valentine, the left hand design with the sentiment

A Sailor's Valentine

show details
An oil cloth roll to hold the signal flags for the yacht

"Dormouse" RHYC

show details 		A good, early example of a sailormade woolwork showing the vessel of the Royal Navy passing a fortified headland. Original condition and mahogany veneered frame.

A Ship-of-the-Line

show details 		A silver coloured metal fob in the form of a Richard Syke's anchor, in it's original case. English circa 1900.

Anchor Fob

show details 		A woolwork picture, probably made by a marine, depicting a steam assisted frigate within a cartouche and surrounded by a garland fushias and roses eminating from two vases. English, circa 1860, and within a period maple veneered frame.

Frigate & Fushia

show details
A large and impressive maritime woolwork picture titled 'Leviathan', the name synonymous with a sea monster, or 'The Great Eastern Steam Ship in 1865'. English, mid 19th century, in the original mahogany frame. Conceived in 1851 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, construction of the Great Eastern started in 1854 at John Scott-Russell’s ship building yard on the Isle of Dogs in London. Her maiden voyage did not take place until the 31st January 1859. The idea behind the Great Eastern was that she could steam virtually around the world without refuelling. The intention was that this would give the Great Eastern the commercial edge over the lucrative immigrant trade to India and Australia. For a full article from which the above information has been taken, see The Porthcurno Telegraph Museum.

Leviathan

show details 		Three painted plaster figures, Chinese export circa 1800, the two larger being examples of nodding figures. The nodding figures measure 11.5 inches high and 10.5 inches high, the third figure, (centre of the three in the zoom image) stands 9.5 inches high. Nodding-head figures were imported into England, Europe and America from Canton in large numbers from the 1780's. The great interest in these figures in England is derived in large part from the personal tastes of the Prince of Wales as Regent culminating in the Oriental interior achieved at The Brighton Pavilion in 1802. For a pair of nodding figures similar to these see Sale 7899, Régence to Fabergé. An Apartment by Jed Johnson. 20 May 2010. London, King Street, and an acompanying account of these figures in the European interior. £3950.00 for the three.

Chinese Export Nodding Figures

show details