Skillfully crafted of boxwood, this model of a British 54 gun frigate captures in miniature the character and detail of these gallant warships. Made by a British-held prisoner during the Napoleonic Wars, the sailor-artisan's craftsmanship emerged through the harsh conditions of his incarceration to create this delicate and historically important work of art.
Mounted on an intricate base made of straw from the prisoner's own mattress, this model is notable for its fine hull shape with each individual plank meticulously and realistically pinned and fastened on both the hull and deck structure. Note the finely carved warrior figurehead as well as how the miles of complex rigging have been accurately reproduced in tiny scale for this model.
Frigates of this type were used to escort and support the large 100 gun First Rate Ships-of-the-Line. Their maneuverability and heavy fire-power capacity placed them at the forefront of ship to ship engagements during the nineteenth century. This model accurately creates a surviving three dimensional record of the appearance and armament of one of the most important ship types ever developed.
