10th May, 2016 12:00

Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Courageous')

 
  Lot 88
 

88

[M] Ø AN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY MINIATURE...

Ø AN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY MINIATURE TORTOISESHELL AND HORN PROFILE MODEL OF A JAPANESE DESTROYER, CIRCA 1910
an exquisite miniature model of an Imperial Japanese destroyer, in tortoiseshell and horn, featuring 3 funnels, 2 sparred masts, aft torpedo tubes, wire rigging, WT aerials and national flags on bow and stern, the vessel set within a clear oval in the centre of a rectangular tortoiseshell plaque -- length of craft 3.25in. (8.5cm.), the plaque -- 6.75in. x 5.5in. (17 x 13.5cm.), the reverse mounted with two small (later) hooks for hanging

The scale of this model makes a positive identification of the vessel difficult, a problem magnified by the dearth of photographs for many of the earliest Japanese classes of both destroyers and torpedo boats. In terms of design, however, the model resembles the two "Sakura" class destroyers, Sakura and Tachibana (both laid down in 1911 and completed in 1912), not least because they were originally intended to be large ocean-going vessels but were altered at a late stage to medium coastal types (second class).

The precise purpose of the model is equally enigmatic and it is presumed to have been a presentation item to an individual such as an Admiralty official or perhaps the vessel's first commanding officer. Whatever the truth, only one other comparable plaque is known to the cataloguer, that being of the Russian armoured cruiser Gromoboi [Thunderer] launched in 1899 and completed in 1900, which merely adds to the mystery of these plaques' country of origin.

Sold for £434
Estimated at £400 - £600

(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)


 
Ø AN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY MINIATURE TORTOISESHELL AND HORN PROFILE MODEL OF A JAPANESE DESTROYER, CIRCA 1910
an exquisite miniature model of an Imperial Japanese destroyer, in tortoiseshell and horn, featuring 3 funnels, 2 sparred masts, aft torpedo tubes, wire rigging, WT aerials and national flags on bow and stern, the vessel set within a clear oval in the centre of a rectangular tortoiseshell plaque -- length of craft 3.25in. (8.5cm.), the plaque -- 6.75in. x 5.5in. (17 x 13.5cm.), the reverse mounted with two small (later) hooks for hanging

The scale of this model makes a positive identification of the vessel difficult, a problem magnified by the dearth of photographs for many of the earliest Japanese classes of both destroyers and torpedo boats. In terms of design, however, the model resembles the two "Sakura" class destroyers, Sakura and Tachibana (both laid down in 1911 and completed in 1912), not least because they were originally intended to be large ocean-going vessels but were altered at a late stage to medium coastal types (second class).

The precise purpose of the model is equally enigmatic and it is presumed to have been a presentation item to an individual such as an Admiralty official or perhaps the vessel's first commanding officer. Whatever the truth, only one other comparable plaque is known to the cataloguer, that being of the Russian armoured cruiser Gromoboi [Thunderer] launched in 1899 and completed in 1900, which merely adds to the mystery of these plaques' country of origin.
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