Organic Material Nautical Objects

Sailor's Keepsake: Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama 🐚 ________________________________________ This is a charming and historically evocative Edwardian Shellwork Diorama, a clas...

This most attractive mid 19th century folk art cased diorama shows a view at sea with a large three mast English ship being chased in a racing situation by a smaller and faster single mast yacht. Both are passing by a lighthouse which is in the foreground. This diorama has been beautifully handmade. The vessel, sails and lighthouse are all hand carved in wood and very nicely painted in bright colours as is the setting of the choppy sea which has most likely been formed in papier mâché. The most appealing element of this piece is its small compact size which easily lends itself for display on a shelf, table or perhaps wall mounted. The case is made from nailed pine boards which have been papered and painted black and finished with a glazed front set into putty. The glass is original and period with lovely handmade imperfections. This decorative diorama is in excellent original condition. English, circa 1860 Height 16cm x width 52.5cm x depth 8.5cm max. Thank you for looking at this rare and interesting 19th century diorama...

"Homecoming": British Sailor's Woolwork of the Screw Frigate H.M.S. Fox, Circa 1875 A charming and detailed British sailor's woolwork (or "woolie"), depicting a portside view of the...

Antique Large Sailor's Valentine in Mahogany Case, circa 1880, a hand-crafted shell collage with heart and rosebuds pattern within an eight-pointed star, set in a large mahogany octa...

Iron and Thread: A Sailor's Vision of the Ram-Bow Era This striking 19th-century sailor’s woolwork, or "woolie," captures the essence of a rapidly modernizing Royal Navy, depicting a warship whose very design speaks to an era of dramatic technological change. Crafted with painstaking detail from colored yarns, this textile artwork is a superb example of the folk art traditionally made by British sailors during their long hours at sea , between journeys or in retirement. Dimensions: 19 inches high x 18 1/8 inches wide x 2 inches deep. Historical Context: The Dawn of the Ironclads The vessel illustrated is a powerful, sail-assisted steam warship, but what makes her distinctive is the pronounced, jutting ram-bow visible at her waterline. This feature was a direct consequence of the rise of ironclad warships in the mid-19th century, following the tactical use of ramming during the American Civil War and the Austro-Italian War. The ram-bow was incorporated into new British warship designs from the 1860s onward, turning the bow itself into a formidable weapon. Dating to circa 1880, this woolie belongs to a period when the Royal Navy was building large, powerful capital ships—the very ships that carried the ram. The ship is accurately shown flying the White Ensign, the distinguishing flag of a commissioned Royal Navy warship, and a long white masthead pennant, confirming her status as a vessel in active commission. The simple, bold execution of the ship, set against a classic background of sea and segmented land, creates a work of remarkable visual strength. A Unique Square Presentation The woolwork is notable for its unusual and attractive near-square format, offering a distinct aesthetic among nautical woolies...

Seafaring Artistry: A British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Ship, Circa 1865–75 This remarkable British sailor's woolwork, or "wool...

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...

Large and Historically Significant Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Atalanta, British, Circa 1880. This large and impressive sailor's woolwork, or "woolie," is a richly colored and wonderf...

Antique Large Sailor's Valentine in Ebonized Case, circa 1920, a hand-crafted shell collage with hear and rosebuds pattern set in a large ebonized octagonal shadowbox, wired on the r...

Decorative coral sculpture. The coral is from the 1970s and has a beautiful light colored green shade. Medium size coral sculpture.

Beautiful antique ship model made of different types of painted wood. It was most likely made as a toy as we can tell by the less detailed construc...

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...