19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a Topsail Schooner, circa 1860

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 a Tea Clipper, Circa 1875 The large sailor's woolwork or woolie as they are also called depicts a port side view of a tea clipper ship...

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...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Second Rate Royal Navy Ship, Circa 1760-65 The sailor's woolie depicts a port side view of a Second-Rate Royal Navy ship under full sail on a blue sea w...

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 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...