Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Inc. Nautical Objects

British Sailor's Woolwork of the Barque Polly, Named "Polly", Circa 1885-95 Offered is a magnificent and historically significant British sailor's woolwork, or "woolie," dating to the last quarter of the 19th century. This exceptional piece presents a detailed port-side view of the three-masted barque Polly under full sail. The vessel's name is proudly displayed on a banner flown from the mainmast and is also visible on her bow, a testament to the sailor-artist's pride in his vessel. The artistry of this woolwork is particularly noteworthy. The sails are skillfully executed using the trapunto technique, a form of relief quilting where sections are padded from behind to create a dynamic, three-dimensional effect. This application masterfully conveys the impression of sails swollen with wind, bringing the scene to life. The sea is depicted in a series of rippling bands of green and white wool, a characteristic convention of this folk art form that effectively captures the motion of the water. This historically rich textile is presented in a handsome maple ogee-shaped frame, typical of the period and befitting the quality of the artwork. The piece is glazed with Museum UV glass, a modern conservation measure that significantly reduces light reflection and provides superior protection against fading and light damage. Historical Provenance: The Barque Polly The woolwork is a tribute to a specific and well-documented vessel. The barque Polly was built in the renowned shipyards of Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1885. The ship was christened at its launch by Marian "Polly" Woodside, the wife of the vessel's owner. In a charming departure from the traditional champagne, Mrs. Woodside tossed a cascade of flowers across the bow to christen the ship. The Polly embarked on numerous voyages, primarily serving the trade routes between South America and the United Kingdom, before being repositioned for service in the Pacific. As a barque, the Polly featured three masts, with the fore and mainmasts being square-rigged and the mizzenmast being fore-and-aft rigged. This configuration was highly popular for long-distance merchant vessels as it required a smaller crew than a fully-rigged ship, making it an economical choice for ocean crossings. A label affixed to the reverse of the frame indicates that this woolwork was featured on the acclaimed television program The Antiques Road...

Edwardian Shell Valentine- Anchor-shaped Diorama-Ships off Coast A large Edwardian shellwork diorama with bevelled glass in the form of an anchor. The diorama features a chromolitho...

Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama, Dover with Pier, 1900 A large Edwardian shellwork diorama with bevelled glass and in the form of an anchor. The diorama features an early tint...

Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama, Circa 1900. A large circular Edwardian star-shape shellwork diorama with beveled glass, features a chromolithograph of a sailing ship passing ...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Sloop, Circa 1875 The British sailor's woolwork depicts a port side view of a fore and aft rigged single mast ship called a sloop. The ship is underw...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Two-masted Schooner, Circa 1875 The naive sailor's woolwork depicts a port side view of a two-masted schooner under sail. The hull in black and red an...

English Pottery Pearlware Sailor Figures, Circa 1820. A lovely pair of English pottery pearlware figure groups each depicting a sailor resting on his sea trunk...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Ship circa 1765 The sailor's woolwork, also known as a woolie, depicts a port side view of a ...

Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship Coming into Port, Circa 1865 The British sailor's woolwork has a dramatic view of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship coming i...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Second Rate Royal Navy Ship with Flag Surround, Circa 1875 The sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a starboard Second Rate Royal Navy ship under full sa...

Sailor's Flag of Nations Woolwork with Heart Valentine and Flag Surround, Circa 1880 The distinctive British sailor's woolwork or woolie showcases a flag designed in a patriotic sty...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship in Rough Seas, HMS Sultan, Circa 1875 The British sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a starboard view of a three-masted Royal Navy ship...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Two Ships, Circa 1765-75 The British sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a starboard view of three=masted Royal Navy ship under full sail sailing past ...

American Painted Cast Iron "Old Salt" Maine Fisherman Doorstop or Bookend, Hubley Manufacturing Company, The 1920s. The two larger figures depict an old salt fisherman standing ...

English Sailor's Woolwork Picture of a Port Side View of a Royal Navy Frigate, Circa 1865 A very attractive and unusual sailor's woolwork of a Royal Navy Frigate flying the Blue Ens...

British Sailor's Woolwork with Ships off a Chalk Cliff, Circa 1875 This exquisite sailor's woolwork, also known as a "woolie," dates back to approximately 1875. The artwork vividly ...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy White Fleet Frigate The sailor's woolwork depicts a portside view of a square-rigged three masted ship flying the White Ensign. The blue s...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship, The sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a starboard view of a Second-Rate Royal Navy Ship with three masts. T...

Large British woolwork of three ships including the Ada and two smaller craft, circa 1875. The wool depicts three ships- a port side view of The Merchant ship Ada, another sail-i...

British Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Victor Emanuel with Red and White Ensign Border, Named after Victor Emanuel, King of Sardinia (also known as Piedmont-Sardinia) and future King of It...

Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Reindeer of a Large Size, Made by Henry Payn Hopper, Circa 1865-70 The large woolie depicts a starboard side view of the HMS Reindeer under steam and sail. ...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Merchant Ship Under Full Sail, Circa 1875 The British sailor's woolie depicts a port side view of a large three-masted ship flying the Red Ensign on a f...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship, Circa 1875 The charming simple sailor's woolie depicts a starboard side view of a Royal Navy second rate battleship...

British Sailor's Woolwork Picture of Five Ships offshore, Circa 1875 The large sailor's woolwork or sailor's woolie depicts five different ships. The largest ship is in the center ...

British sailor's woolwork of three royal navy ships Circa 1885 The British sailor woolwork depicts an unusual scene of three different types of Royal Navy Ships which are all flying the White...

English Sailor's Woolwork of a Battleship, Circa 1865-75. The sailor's woolie depicts a starboard side view of a second rate battleship flying the White ensign under sail. White se...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship with Sunset, Circa 1875 This is a lovely example of a sailor's woolie with wonderful color and subject. The sailor's woolwork or sailor...

British Sailor's large woolwork of HMS Brunswick, Made by J. H. Miller, Brixton, Circa 1865 The large-scale sailor's woolwork depicts an image of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship...

Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Five-masted Ship under Steam, HMS Minotaur or HMS Agincourt, Minotaur Class Broadside Ironclad, circa 1880 The sailor's woolie depicts a portsi...

British Sailor's large woolwork of a royal navy ship under full sail, circa 1875 The sailor's woolie or woolwork depicts a starboard ...