31st Oct, 2012 12:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Cochrane)
258
[M] A REMARKABLE 1:96 SCALE MODEL DIORAMA OF THE...
A REMARKABLE 1:96 SCALE MODEL DIORAMA OF THE VICTORY PREPARING TO SAIL, ANCHORED OFF AGINCOURT SOUND, SARDINIA, AT 3.45PM ON THE 19TH JANUARY 1805 WITH THE CAPTAINS OF THE ACTIVE AND SEAHORSE APPROACHING TO REPORT
modelled and presented from his own exhaustive researches by T. Davies; the Victory fully modelled in fruit and box woods with planked hull copper sheathed below the waterline, contrasting black and yellow hull with open gun ports on upper two decks with guns fitted with red tompions run out forward, the latter ports glazed, finely carved head-piece, glazed stern and quarter galleries with internal fittings visible, planked decks and bound masts with standing and running rigging of correct weight, yards and stun's'l booms, flying the signal to 'unmoor' from the mizzen mast, the decks crowded with numerous crew and officers undertaking tasks including furling sails, stowing anchor ropes, preparing to raise an approaching pinnace, with a company of marines being drilled, the poop deck with Nelson pointing and Hardy watching as Pascoe stows signal flags, the whole mounted in a 6in. deep rippled green glass sea with painted white flecking, a pinnace with ten oarsmen, two officers and a marine approaching, contained in a bespoke glazed case with backdrop and stern views painted by Geoff Hunt showing the headland and rest of squadron, internal electric lighting, dust trap and legend to front, mounted on tapering legs. Measurements overall -- 75 x 53½ x 26in. (190.5 x 136 x 66cm.); framed charts of location and description of activities; service table
(5)
Born of a frustration with the inadequacies of some models to show the Victory accurately enough and to put it into an interesting moment of history, this model evolved into what is possibly the most complex and detailed presentation of this famous ship yet undertaken. Log books and site visits were used to determine Victory's precise anchorage at this date, from which photographs and period pictures were used by renowned marine artist Geoff Hunt to provide the backdrop canvases; detailed discussions with historians and the curator of H.M.S. Victory were undertaken to extraordinary degrees to establish precisely the arrangement of the vessel at this date - there was a small refit before the Battle of Trafalgar which provided additional challenges. Three years of trials were taken with the sea to get it realistic. It is uniquely poured around the hull to conform to the modeller's wishes to create the correct light refraction, so the hull and anchor cable look as they did when Nelson gave the order to set sail. The success of the vignettes on the deck, in the rigging and the pinnace is a rare achievement with very few models so successfully employing this detail. To preserve the model for posterity, the modeller designed an airtight case with temperature-controlled climate and a dust trap on top, however should anything ever come astray, full instructions on how to access it are provided along with a table of the right height to slide the model on.
modelled and presented from his own exhaustive researches by T. Davies; the Victory fully modelled in fruit and box woods with planked hull copper sheathed below the waterline, contrasting black and yellow hull with open gun ports on upper two decks with guns fitted with red tompions run out forward, the latter ports glazed, finely carved head-piece, glazed stern and quarter galleries with internal fittings visible, planked decks and bound masts with standing and running rigging of correct weight, yards and stun's'l booms, flying the signal to 'unmoor' from the mizzen mast, the decks crowded with numerous crew and officers undertaking tasks including furling sails, stowing anchor ropes, preparing to raise an approaching pinnace, with a company of marines being drilled, the poop deck with Nelson pointing and Hardy watching as Pascoe stows signal flags, the whole mounted in a 6in. deep rippled green glass sea with painted white flecking, a pinnace with ten oarsmen, two officers and a marine approaching, contained in a bespoke glazed case with backdrop and stern views painted by Geoff Hunt showing the headland and rest of squadron, internal electric lighting, dust trap and legend to front, mounted on tapering legs. Measurements overall -- 75 x 53½ x 26in. (190.5 x 136 x 66cm.); framed charts of location and description of activities; service table
(5)
Born of a frustration with the inadequacies of some models to show the Victory accurately enough and to put it into an interesting moment of history, this model evolved into what is possibly the most complex and detailed presentation of this famous ship yet undertaken. Log books and site visits were used to determine Victory's precise anchorage at this date, from which photographs and period pictures were used by renowned marine artist Geoff Hunt to provide the backdrop canvases; detailed discussions with historians and the curator of H.M.S. Victory were undertaken to extraordinary degrees to establish precisely the arrangement of the vessel at this date - there was a small refit before the Battle of Trafalgar which provided additional challenges. Three years of trials were taken with the sea to get it realistic. It is uniquely poured around the hull to conform to the modeller's wishes to create the correct light refraction, so the hull and anchor cable look as they did when Nelson gave the order to set sail. The success of the vignettes on the deck, in the rigging and the pinnace is a rare achievement with very few models so successfully employing this detail. To preserve the model for posterity, the modeller designed an airtight case with temperature-controlled climate and a dust trap on top, however should anything ever come astray, full instructions on how to access it are provided along with a table of the right height to slide the model on.
Sold for £24,800
Estimated at £20,000 - £30,000
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
Condition Report
Fine condition throughout.
We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.
A REMARKABLE 1:96 SCALE MODEL DIORAMA OF THE VICTORY PREPARING TO SAIL, ANCHORED OFF AGINCOURT SOUND, SARDINIA, AT 3.45PM ON THE 19TH JANUARY 1805 WITH THE CAPTAINS OF THE ACTIVE AND SEAHORSE APPROACHING TO REPORT
modelled and presented from his own exhaustive researches by T. Davies; the Victory fully modelled in fruit and box woods with planked hull copper sheathed below the waterline, contrasting black and yellow hull with open gun ports on upper two decks with guns fitted with red tompions run out forward, the latter ports glazed, finely carved head-piece, glazed stern and quarter galleries with internal fittings visible, planked decks and bound masts with standing and running rigging of correct weight, yards and stun's'l booms, flying the signal to 'unmoor' from the mizzen mast, the decks crowded with numerous crew and officers undertaking tasks including furling sails, stowing anchor ropes, preparing to raise an approaching pinnace, with a company of marines being drilled, the poop deck with Nelson pointing and Hardy watching as Pascoe stows signal flags, the whole mounted in a 6in. deep rippled green glass sea with painted white flecking, a pinnace with ten oarsmen, two officers and a marine approaching, contained in a bespoke glazed case with backdrop and stern views painted by Geoff Hunt showing the headland and rest of squadron, internal electric lighting, dust trap and legend to front, mounted on tapering legs. Measurements overall -- 75 x 53½ x 26in. (190.5 x 136 x 66cm.); framed charts of location and description of activities; service table
(5)
Born of a frustration with the inadequacies of some models to show the Victory accurately enough and to put it into an interesting moment of history, this model evolved into what is possibly the most complex and detailed presentation of this famous ship yet undertaken. Log books and site visits were used to determine Victory's precise anchorage at this date, from which photographs and period pictures were used by renowned marine artist Geoff Hunt to provide the backdrop canvases; detailed discussions with historians and the curator of H.M.S. Victory were undertaken to extraordinary degrees to establish precisely the arrangement of the vessel at this date - there was a small refit before the Battle of Trafalgar which provided additional challenges. Three years of trials were taken with the sea to get it realistic. It is uniquely poured around the hull to conform to the modeller's wishes to create the correct light refraction, so the hull and anchor cable look as they did when Nelson gave the order to set sail. The success of the vignettes on the deck, in the rigging and the pinnace is a rare achievement with very few models so successfully employing this detail. To preserve the model for posterity, the modeller designed an airtight case with temperature-controlled climate and a dust trap on top, however should anything ever come astray, full instructions on how to access it are provided along with a table of the right height to slide the model on.
modelled and presented from his own exhaustive researches by T. Davies; the Victory fully modelled in fruit and box woods with planked hull copper sheathed below the waterline, contrasting black and yellow hull with open gun ports on upper two decks with guns fitted with red tompions run out forward, the latter ports glazed, finely carved head-piece, glazed stern and quarter galleries with internal fittings visible, planked decks and bound masts with standing and running rigging of correct weight, yards and stun's'l booms, flying the signal to 'unmoor' from the mizzen mast, the decks crowded with numerous crew and officers undertaking tasks including furling sails, stowing anchor ropes, preparing to raise an approaching pinnace, with a company of marines being drilled, the poop deck with Nelson pointing and Hardy watching as Pascoe stows signal flags, the whole mounted in a 6in. deep rippled green glass sea with painted white flecking, a pinnace with ten oarsmen, two officers and a marine approaching, contained in a bespoke glazed case with backdrop and stern views painted by Geoff Hunt showing the headland and rest of squadron, internal electric lighting, dust trap and legend to front, mounted on tapering legs. Measurements overall -- 75 x 53½ x 26in. (190.5 x 136 x 66cm.); framed charts of location and description of activities; service table
(5)
Born of a frustration with the inadequacies of some models to show the Victory accurately enough and to put it into an interesting moment of history, this model evolved into what is possibly the most complex and detailed presentation of this famous ship yet undertaken. Log books and site visits were used to determine Victory's precise anchorage at this date, from which photographs and period pictures were used by renowned marine artist Geoff Hunt to provide the backdrop canvases; detailed discussions with historians and the curator of H.M.S. Victory were undertaken to extraordinary degrees to establish precisely the arrangement of the vessel at this date - there was a small refit before the Battle of Trafalgar which provided additional challenges. Three years of trials were taken with the sea to get it realistic. It is uniquely poured around the hull to conform to the modeller's wishes to create the correct light refraction, so the hull and anchor cable look as they did when Nelson gave the order to set sail. The success of the vignettes on the deck, in the rigging and the pinnace is a rare achievement with very few models so successfully employing this detail. To preserve the model for posterity, the modeller designed an airtight case with temperature-controlled climate and a dust trap on top, however should anything ever come astray, full instructions on how to access it are provided along with a table of the right height to slide the model on.
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Cochrane), 31st Oct, 2012
