American Nautical Objects

Bronze and iron locomotive railroad bell.  

A silver gilt Newport Yacht Racing Association won by Columbia, 1901. This silver-gilt trophy is a two-handled ‘loving cup’ with a gilded interior and flowerhead adorned scroll handles. The lower body and foot have repoussé spiral gadrooning and rocailles. Inscribed on one side ‘Newport Yacht Racing Association, August 1st 1901 won by Columbia’. Stamped ‘1899 Sterling Howard & Co’ and ‘William B. Durgin’. American. Weight: 58 oz. Height: 10½ in (27cm) Width: 11¾ in (30cm) Diameter: 6¼ in (16cm) Provenance: John Pierpont Morgan (1837-1915) – the financier, to his son John Pierpont Morgan Jr. (1867-1943) – ‘Jack’, to his son Junius Spencer Morgan (1892-1960) – to his son John P. Morgan II (1918-2006) Columbia, built by the Herreshoff Company, Rhode Island, was a legendary yacht, one of a tiny number of vessels to successfully defend the America’s Cup. Her first victory was in 1899 and her second victory against Independence on 1st August 1901, commemorated by this trophy, is viewed as an unofficial trial for the forthcoming race which she also won. The owner of Independence, Thomas W. Lawson, desperate to beat his rival, reputedly made the extraordinary offer of $100,000 to his crew in the event of their beating Columbia and securing their own chance to race in the America’s Cup. The race was organised by the Newport Yacht Racing Association and Columbia began as favourite. The race started two hours later than expected due to a lack of wind and Columbia quickly established a considerable lead. She won by as much as a mile. Lawson was so disgusted by the performance of his yacht that she was entirely stripped down after the race...

Pair of six foot varnished boat oars. Blades are marked "N.Y. B. O. Co", (New York Boat Oar Company). Ezekiel Page invented and patented an oar making machin...

Antique Folk Art Sailor's Knot Board, circa 1900, having sixteen sailor's specialty knots: bends, hitches and splices used regularly aboard ship. All of the knots are original and mounted on a dark stained plywood panel, within a simple dark stained frame. Seven of the knots do not have identifying plaques beneath them. It is a treat to find a genuine old sailor...

19th century Jonah and the whale mechanical bank A non-functioning cast iron mechanical bank with original paint. Made by Sheppard Hardware, Buffa...

Original condition, large bronze and glass porthole from a turn of the century vessel. 23 inches in diameter, solid cast bronze with original weathered patination. The porthole is in...

Laminated wood model of a commuter steam launch, late 19th-early 20th century. FW 1630.