21st Oct, 2009 12:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Victory)
218
[M] AN EXTREMELY RARE AND FINELY CARVED LATE...
AN EXTREMELY RARE AND FINELY CARVED LATE 18TH-CENTURY BOXWOOD ALLEGORICAL FIGUREHEAD MODEL FOR THE HOPE
depicted as a full-length female stepping forward and dressed in a delicately carved wind-swept dress, necklace, curled hair with hat, holding an anchor supported over her knee with her left hand, her right holding the cable, set on a scroll-worked presentation bow with cut-away head rails behind, finished in original polychrome overall, secured to a later display plinth - 13¼in. (33.5cm.) high
Although there are several Royal Navy ships of this name around the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, none are of a suitable size to adorn with such a lavish figurehead. The strongest candidate is the Hon. East India Company who, in 1797, launched the Hope. Built by Thomas Pitcher of Northfleet for Alexander Hume, she registered 1,498 tons burthen, measured 144'3" by 43'10" and drew 17'5" of water. Captained by James Horncastle until 1804 and James Pendergrass thereafter, she served mostly on the China run until sold for break up in 1815.
Another example of an East India Co. allegorical polychrome figurehead model may be viewed at Quex Park, Birchington, Kent as part of the Powell-Cotton collection. It was probably acquired by Charles Bowland Cotton who joined as a Midshipman in 1794.
The only comparable carving of this type to come on the market recently is the Queen Charlotte model sold by Messrs Bonham's: Nelson & The Royal Navy, 5th July, 2005, lot 28 (£50,000).
depicted as a full-length female stepping forward and dressed in a delicately carved wind-swept dress, necklace, curled hair with hat, holding an anchor supported over her knee with her left hand, her right holding the cable, set on a scroll-worked presentation bow with cut-away head rails behind, finished in original polychrome overall, secured to a later display plinth - 13¼in. (33.5cm.) high
Although there are several Royal Navy ships of this name around the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, none are of a suitable size to adorn with such a lavish figurehead. The strongest candidate is the Hon. East India Company who, in 1797, launched the Hope. Built by Thomas Pitcher of Northfleet for Alexander Hume, she registered 1,498 tons burthen, measured 144'3" by 43'10" and drew 17'5" of water. Captained by James Horncastle until 1804 and James Pendergrass thereafter, she served mostly on the China run until sold for break up in 1815.
Another example of an East India Co. allegorical polychrome figurehead model may be viewed at Quex Park, Birchington, Kent as part of the Powell-Cotton collection. It was probably acquired by Charles Bowland Cotton who joined as a Midshipman in 1794.
The only comparable carving of this type to come on the market recently is the Queen Charlotte model sold by Messrs Bonham's: Nelson & The Royal Navy, 5th July, 2005, lot 28 (£50,000).
Sold for £12,400
Estimated at £10,000 - £15,000
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
AN EXTREMELY RARE AND FINELY CARVED LATE 18TH-CENTURY BOXWOOD ALLEGORICAL FIGUREHEAD MODEL FOR THE HOPE
depicted as a full-length female stepping forward and dressed in a delicately carved wind-swept dress, necklace, curled hair with hat, holding an anchor supported over her knee with her left hand, her right holding the cable, set on a scroll-worked presentation bow with cut-away head rails behind, finished in original polychrome overall, secured to a later display plinth - 13¼in. (33.5cm.) high
Although there are several Royal Navy ships of this name around the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, none are of a suitable size to adorn with such a lavish figurehead. The strongest candidate is the Hon. East India Company who, in 1797, launched the Hope. Built by Thomas Pitcher of Northfleet for Alexander Hume, she registered 1,498 tons burthen, measured 144'3" by 43'10" and drew 17'5" of water. Captained by James Horncastle until 1804 and James Pendergrass thereafter, she served mostly on the China run until sold for break up in 1815.
Another example of an East India Co. allegorical polychrome figurehead model may be viewed at Quex Park, Birchington, Kent as part of the Powell-Cotton collection. It was probably acquired by Charles Bowland Cotton who joined as a Midshipman in 1794.
The only comparable carving of this type to come on the market recently is the Queen Charlotte model sold by Messrs Bonham's: Nelson & The Royal Navy, 5th July, 2005, lot 28 (£50,000).
depicted as a full-length female stepping forward and dressed in a delicately carved wind-swept dress, necklace, curled hair with hat, holding an anchor supported over her knee with her left hand, her right holding the cable, set on a scroll-worked presentation bow with cut-away head rails behind, finished in original polychrome overall, secured to a later display plinth - 13¼in. (33.5cm.) high
Although there are several Royal Navy ships of this name around the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, none are of a suitable size to adorn with such a lavish figurehead. The strongest candidate is the Hon. East India Company who, in 1797, launched the Hope. Built by Thomas Pitcher of Northfleet for Alexander Hume, she registered 1,498 tons burthen, measured 144'3" by 43'10" and drew 17'5" of water. Captained by James Horncastle until 1804 and James Pendergrass thereafter, she served mostly on the China run until sold for break up in 1815.
Another example of an East India Co. allegorical polychrome figurehead model may be viewed at Quex Park, Birchington, Kent as part of the Powell-Cotton collection. It was probably acquired by Charles Bowland Cotton who joined as a Midshipman in 1794.
The only comparable carving of this type to come on the market recently is the Queen Charlotte model sold by Messrs Bonham's: Nelson & The Royal Navy, 5th July, 2005, lot 28 (£50,000).
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Victory), 21st Oct, 2009
