Amazing Scratch Built Boat, circa 1920Item Status:
View Similar Items
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17
Amazing Scratch Built Boat, circa 1920
$5,019.92Asking Price

About
Folk Art scratch built boat Ville d’Aix, circa 1920
Quite simply this is one of the best examples of a scratch built folk piece we have ever seen or are likely to have in our store. The photographs really don’t do this item justice as it has so many hidden features and parts that can be moved, removed and adjusted. The item is completely handmade from scratch and made from found objects. The item is made from wood, brass, copper and linen cloth. The boat come standing on a bespoke stand which has been made to display this very unique, decorative and one off piece of marine, folk art history. It’s a real piece of art and highly characteristic and has a sense of real adventure and nostalgia attached to it. Most if not all functions of the boat work as detailed below:
Features:
The pulleys move
Doors open and close
Removable hull (in 2 sections)
The stairs are adjustable and move using a pulley
The 3 men (1 captain and 2 soldiers) all move independently
All life boats are hand carved and can be removed
The bench can be removed and is hand carved
The cargo pulley don’t move but the hooks and chains can be
All the deck doors open and close
The brass propeller moves
The rear flags are all adjustable and move
The gun moves (limited) one piece hand carved
The main lobby doors open (aged and sticky)
The towing wheel at the front rotates
As you can tell from the above detail this is a real adventure item and the more you play with it the more it reveals its hidden gems. It’s quite overwhelming in real life.
The primitive look and feel of this item really make this piece of folk art a one off, you will not be disappointed with your purchase. Please pay close attention to the photos and condition description provided and ask questions before purchase. This item can be shipped globally however the risk of shipping would need to be with the buyer due to the fragile nature of this item.
Conclusion: One thing is for sure, you will never see another item quite like this on the market, it’s very rare, highly decorative and true collector’s piece.
Condition: There is wear and tear to this item as you can expect due to use and age
The stand is broken at the edge but doesn’t affect the stability and support, the features of the item are sticky in movement due to its age but are ok to move around gently, the flags are tatty and very old (fragile) the item has been cleaned and waxed for its presentation and protection however there is grime and wear throughout, the photos aim to show the condition as best as possible however please ask questions before purchase to avoid disappointment.
Size: W 12” x D 28” x H 23”.
Details
- DimensionsHeight: 23 in. (58.42 cm)Width: 28 in. (71.12 cm)Depth: 12 in. (30.48 cm)
- StyleFolk Art (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques
- Place of Origin
- Period
- Date of Manufacture1920
- ConditionWear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller LocationLondon, GB
- Reference Number1stDibs: LU4304213132861
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingRates vary by destination and complexity. We recommend this shipping type based on item size, type and fragility.Estimated Customs Duties & Taxes to the Continental US: $0.Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn more
About the SellerLocated in London, United Kingdom
5 / 5
Gold Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are highly rated and consistently exceed customer expectations.
1stDibs seller since 2018
79 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
More From This Seller
- Located in London, GBEarly 20th century scratch built encased ship We are proud to offer an early 20th century example of a hand car...Category
Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Nautical Objects
MaterialsWood
- Located in London, GBNautical Folk Art diorama display We are proud to offer an early 20th century English handcrafted Folk Art dior...Category
Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Nautical Objects
MaterialsGlass, Plaster, Wood
- Located in London, GBExceptional German sailors tramp art casket, circa 1880 We are proud to offer an exceptionally fine sailors swe...Category
Antique 1880s German Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsWood
- Located in London, GBScratch built zinc ship model We are proud to offer one of the most decorative and artistic examples of an earl...Category
Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Nautical Objects
MaterialsZinc
- Located in London, GBArchitects Model circa 1920 We are proud to offer a unique circa 1920s architects model of a timber-clad coloni...Category
Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsWood
- Located in London, GBItem: Americana Folk-art Tree Root Fairground Hoop Toss Target Figure Description: For sale in this LOT is a ra...Category
Vintage 1920s Central American Folk Art Game Boards
MaterialsWood
You May Also Like
Folk Art Carved and Decorated Sei Whale, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art carved and decorated Sei Whale, circa 1920s. An early vintage or antique hand carved and decorated sculpture of a Sei Whale, with long and relatively slender body, tuberosit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Shipyard Builder's Half Hull of the "Virginia Palmer", Thames Tow Boat Yard, New
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th-early 20th century shipyard builder's half hull of the "Virginia Palmer", schooner from Thames Tow Boat Yard, New London, CT.
# 1498.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Wood
Carved and Gilded Bellamy Eagle Figurehead, circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved and gilded eagle figurehead from the workshop of John Bellamy in Portsmouth, NH, circa 1890, an unfinished work in that it was never mounted on a ship. John Haley Bellamy was ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Crucifixion Scene in a Bottle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Folk Art Crucifixion scene in a bottle, intricately detailed carved and polychromed wood crucifixion with numerous elements of the passion of Christ.
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood, Wood
6.5 Feet Long Folk-Art Model of a Riverboat, “Talbot”
Located in Doylestown, PA
A large (80” long!) and important Folk Art model of the side-paddle riverboat “Talbot” mid-20th century or earlier, artist unknown. Scratch-made, in wood, wire, and other “found” mat...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Wood
$3,750 Sale Price
48% Off
19th Century Coconut Ladle with Carvings
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fascinating rustic ladle crafted from a coconut and decorated with hand carved stars, moons, animals, and a building and featuring a bone handle with a carved hand at the end. Hard t...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Coconut, Bone
19th Century American Builder's Model of a Ship in Laminated Mahogany Layers
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century American builder's model of a ship in mahogany done in many laminated layers together.
# 1523.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Wood
Ship Carved Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved figure of a woman standing upright on a scrolled base. Carved from Pine with in service paint, American, circa 1850.
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century North American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Materials
Pine
$17,500
The 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery