An exceptional large and finely carved Napoleonic Bone Ship Model of a named warship, LES HEROS is a beautiful work of craftsmanship and art. LES HEROS is believed to have been built in 1795 as a 74-gun French warship, and her model is exceptionally well detailed with exact stern galleries, bulwark of relief carved leaves with a gold foil set behind, and intricate carved inner railings that stand out to the eye. Gold and baleen bands alternate in the masts and booms of the ship, in a greater amount than any other example we've seen. The bone plank hulled is pinned construction, and had to be made by prisoner-artisans that knew the real craft of building and sailing such a ship.
LES HEROS would end up serving British interests valiantly in defense of the realm against the French Navy of Napoleon, even though she had started her career as a French Warship. Unfortunately, records of her actions before being de-masted and captured by the British in 1802 are undiscovered.
A pure example of the quality of work performed under the rather bleak circumstances make this very large Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War ship model artifact a fascinating and highly desired piece. The fine carving on this ship model is top flight, and the complete sense that the artisan bequeathed the ship makes it stand above others. Very ornate stretches of carved bulwarks in leaf patterns line the hull. Easier to work but just as spectacular are the alternating gold-and-baleen mast bands and the connectors between the sternpost and rudder. The finely carved stern and quarter galleries echo the finer realities of the officers living quarters, when compared to the ordinary and able seamen living arraignments in the forecastle and amongst the guns, 16 of which are visible on deck; turned metal set in stepped carriages of bone. The rest poke ominously out of each gunport, at the ready. The carved crown-wearing monarch figurehead at the bow is positioned in a rather stalwart pose.
The model ship is set on a period marquetry base with a fancy edged carved bone solid rail, of very unusual character. The risers of bone elevate it off the base oak of an old and most likely original case to the model, almost unheard of for a artifact of this age and size.
A model made by men held in a British War Prison, it is testament to the individuals involved on both sides. The artistry speaks of the French pride and skill, while the ship has a shared history between the warring nations. This is an exceptional quality Napoleonic Bone Ship model of an impressive and rare size.
