SHIP CARVING
One of our specialties we offer when available is authentic examples of ship carving. This includes figureheads, stern carvings, billet heads and other examples of the ship carver's art. These artifacts are always very scarce and rarely stay available for long.
A0393 AN EXCEPTIONAL EARLY AMERICAN 19TH CENTURY FEMALE FIGUREHEAD
This fine small bust figurehead of a young woman dates circa 1830 based on the Regency style of dress and hairstyle. She is entirely original including the the polychrome painted surface. She wears her braided hair coiled on top with a hair comb that has a small loss at the top. Open bodice dress with white collar and terminates with folded twisted fabric and scrollwork.
She measures 15.5 inches and would have been suited for a small vessel. Because of her original condition, lack of weathering and no evidence of being fitted to a vessel, she may have never been mounted on a vessel.
Figureheads were mounted by drift pins driven through the carving and into the stem of the vessel. The base of this figurehead was oddly cut at an angle so that she leaned backwards. Its possible that the mounting pin had been below the cut, hence the odd backwards angle. We fashioned a wedge at the base so that she appears at the correct angle.
$22,000SOLD
A0369 RARE CARVED IDENTIFIED SHIP’S STERNBOARD.
A fine and rare example of the shipcarver’s art is this stern carving from an identified vessel. Depicts a profile portrait of an attractive young woman dressed in collared dress with elaborately carved sleeves, surrounded with floral decoration. Carved from a single block of wood. Retains an early painted surface. Measures 29 x 16 inches
The name FREYA and NORWAY is penciled on the back and is certainly the name of the vessel this carving came from. FREYA was a common name for vessels and we found 3 by that name with Norway as the country of register:
1. Ship built 1861 at Aberdeen Scotland
2. Bark built 1867 at St. Martins NB
3. Bark built 1869 at Bergen Norway
$9750
SOLD
A0354 VERY RARE 19TH CENTURY CARVED MINIATURE FIGUREHEAD.
Finely carved bust of a woman dressed in green flowing shawl robe with dark reddish brown trim with flowered thin vine flanking the central stem. She wears a tiera with the back grey veil which continues down to the lacing piece. 13 inches tall.
This figurehead has been described as a model for the SLOOP BAYADERE because of its small size. However there were very small figureheads actually used on yachts and other small vessels so she could have actually been mounted on the small sloop.
Provinance: Collection of Susan and Raymond Egan, Northeast Auction 2006.
Collection of Miriam and Arthur Spector, Northeast Auctions 2004
David A Schorsch; Sotheby’s June 1998
The Dabney family Boston
$11,750
SOLD
A0139 SHIP CARVER'S MODEL OF EAGLE STERNBOARD
Extremely rare and probably unique, this carved eagle was probably carved in preparations for the full size stern board or was meant to show potential clients. Carved of walnut, the eagle is depicted holding a banner in it's beak and clutching an American shield with crossed flags and cannons. C. 1860, Measures 16.5 inches.
$4250
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A0005 MAST BALL CAP FROM THE STEAMBOAT C. VANDERBILT
SOLD
A0153 FIGUREHEAD: LADY WITH PEARLS
Life size ship's figurehead from unknown American vessels. Carved in Elm wood of a mid 19th century female, probably a portrait. The figurehead was found in a dreadful condition and has been extensively restored.
SOLD
A0154 BILLET HEAD
Mid 19th century finely carved billet head which was never fitted to a vessel. Carved in pine and painted in dark grey.