Posts filed under ‘art’
Art: Maritime Dioramas
I’m currently working on a diorama which will eventually house my navy dolls (among them Admiral Lord Collingwood, also known as Old Cudd(l)y). That’s the perfect excuse to have a closer look at a fascinating sub-category of model making: maritime dioramas.
A diorama is a three-dimensional miniature model, sometimes inside a glass case or dome. If we go by that definition, we could say that bottle ships are the most popular and best known dioramas. I don’t know where the following comes from, and it’s probably not the type of bottle ship you’re used to, but you must admit: it’s amazing.
Sailors often spent their spare time with carving or model making, and of course they drew their inspiration from their environment. Some dioramas show ships, others scenes of daily naval life. Here you can see a wonderful example, dating back to the Napoleonic wars and of British origin, showing French prisoners of war. If you look very closely, you can see that one man in the diorama is working on a ship model – so it’s a model-in-a-model. Amazing detail and exquisite work, but at the same time, also a very touching historical artifact sized 12 x 4.5 x 6 inches.
The diorama above comes from OneOfAKindAntiques.com – to see more dioramas, enter “diorama” in the search box and hit enter. You’ll be shown the dioramas which are currently on sale. To see all items, you’ll have to check the “search archived/sold items” box in the top right corner and hit enter again. It sounds a bit complicated, but it’s not, and trust me, it’s worth it.
Model making was also a way for prisoners of war to pass their time and maybe earn a little money by selling their artworks to the locals. The following diorama is the work of a French Prisoner of War during the Napoleonic Wars. It shows the model of a 76 gun ship of the line and was made in ca. 1800 and measures 15 x 7 1/2 x 14 3/4 inches.
This diorama here is absolutely stunning. Again the work of a French POW, it’s carved from ivory and measures 10 1/4 x 4 x 8 1/4 inches.
If you should ever visit the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, please make sure that you’ll see the dioramas they have on display. Some of them feature glass paintings which, if a candle is lit behind the case, gives a convincing illusion of movement. They are far more luxurious and glamorous than the models you can see in this post, but it’s probably the work of the ordinary sailors who gives us the most accurate portrayal of daily life.
If you’re curious now and would like to see more, here are some links for you:
Maritime dioramas at Clipper Maritime Antiques
Tall Ship Museum in Hamburg / Germany: Slide show of over 50 maritime dioramas
Find your way around this blog or “Where are the screencaps?!”
I noticed that there’s some confusion regarding the content of Joyful Molly here on WordPress and Joyful Molly on Livejournal. People are looking for content that’s not here and wonder if I’ve deleted entries. So I thought I’ll explain this for the “newbies” and hope this will make navigation easier:
You can find everything posted here on WordPress (WP) also on LiveJournal (LJ), but not vice versa.
Here on WP, emphasis is on research and all things 18th century (art, fashion, customs, science and more), Age of Sail etc.
Reviews of movies, books and TV shows are only posted here on WP if they have historical content.
Examples: you can find my reviews of “Garrow’s Law” here, but not my thoughts on “Being Human”. Jack Davenport in “Mary Bryant”? Here. Jack Davenport in “FlashForward”? There. If you’re looking for screencaps of James D’Arcy in “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” or Andrew Buchan in “The Fixer”, you’ll have to head over to my LJ. Or, in pictures:
WORDPRESS:
LIVEJOURNAL:
All my “non-historical” interests are hosted on LJ as well. WordPress is my library and Livejournal my living room. All entries are tagged, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find what you’re looking for.
Also, I’m currently in the process of re-organising the resource list; it will stay here on WP but navigation will be far easier, and I’ll also weed out some dead links.
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, just ask; I usually don’t delete entries, so maybe it’s just not here.
Confusion complete? Great!
Writing/resource: 18th century chapbooks discovered!
When people ask me what I write, I usually say:
“Penny Dreadfuls. But they cost more than a penny and aren’t dreadful.”
A historian might point out that’s this is not really correct (and some may argue that, indeed, my writing is dreadful, by Jove!), because Penny Dreadfuls were a thing of the 19th century, and I aim for an 18th century feeling. Amandine de Villeneuve’s woodcut-like illustrations are in the style of the 18th century as well. But from their content, I feel that my stories are “Penny Dreadfuls” rather than “Chapbooks”, their cruder 18th century predecessors (we’ll get to that in a minute).
Penny Dreadfuls were stories published in parts over a course of several weeks, costing one penny each. And for that, the 19th century teenager got Adventure! Drama! Swordfights! Highwaymen! Pirates! Vampires! A damsel in distress!
Raunchy, saucy, rude – those are the terms we usually connect with a “Chapbook” today. And now look what the cat dragged in:
STASH OF ‘SAUCY’ LITERATURE UNCOVERED AT HISTORIC LAKE DISTRICT HOUSE
“They often contained rather saucy and even rude tales, which were found to be very amusing by their 18th century readers.”
Heh. I bet not only by them. Here’s an excerpt from “The Crafty Chambermaid”, dating back to 1770; the tale of a chambermaid who tricks a young man into marrying her/of a London merchant who tries to romantically pursue a chambermaid (it depends on one’s point of view, I suppose…)
The Merchant he softly crept into the room,
And on the bedside he then sat himself down,
Her knees through the Counterpane he did embrace,
Did Bess in the pillow did hide her sweet face.
He stript of his cloaths and leaped into bed
Saying now lovely creature for thy maidenhead,
She strug led and strove and seemed to be shy
He said divine beauty I pray now comply.
Things haven’t changed much, now have they…
Recommended pottery. No, really!
Regular readers of this blog will know how fascinated I am with Nelson-memorabilia. Nelson-in-a-jar, Nelson-umbrella-stand – I’ve seen it all. One of my favourites is still Nelson-and-two-officers-ride-to-the-zoo-on-an-elephant, though. That one was made by artist David Cleverly, whose work I really like for its humour and 18th-century-touch. Plus –
Nelson and his dog…?
If you’d like to have a look at the “Heroes Gallery”, please click HERE.
In other words: if I was rich, my place would feature a special shelf filled with these artworks.
Though, admittedly, some pieces might be a bit controversial…
A Rose for my Readers
“Portrait d’homme à la rose” by French painter Jean-Baptiste Perronneau, showing the Chevalier de Mainvilliers in 1751.
Joyful Molly got an award! And I’ll award it to…
Huzzah! Just look at this! “The Joyful Molly” received an award, and it comes from one of my favourite blogs, ONE MORE STITCH (Reproduction and historic knitting inspired by original garments, objects and patterns from the past); if you haven’t visited it yet, please do so, it’s amazing. And there’s a whole list of other blogs which are fantastic as well. Thank you!
The award comes in two parts: I “must” (you mustn’t – you may, if you like to!) list seven random facts about myself, and then choose seven blogs for nomination.
7 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT MOLLY JOYFUL
- I can spin a yarn – not only on a laptop, but also by use of spindle or spinning wheel. Haven’t done it for ages, though, and can’t remember why I learned it in the first place.
- I’m a creature of habit. I start every day with a cuppa (with milk and honey) from my favourite mug (Frederic the Great on horseback). No tea, no Molly. I end the day in the same manner (different mug, though – the one showing Trafalgar Square).
- Many people visiting this blog assume that I’m a conservative elderly lady who never misses her favourite soap, has a huge collection of Tom Jones vinyl records and a framed picture of the Queen above the mantelpiece. The dark truth: I’m neither conservative nor elderly, prefer “Being Human” to “Coronation Street”, don’t own a single Tom Jones song but plenty of The Cure and Muse, have no mantelpiece and as for the Queen: folks, I’m not even British.
- Since my earliest childhood, I’m scared of tall ships. I have this irrational fear that a ship will blow up the moment I set foot on it. So you could argue I’m not qualified to write about the Age of Sail.
- I grew up in a haunted house. Means: I might not be qualified to write about the Age of Sail, but certainly about ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump at night.
- TV series are mainly “background noise” while I’m writing. The only series I’ve actively followed these last months and made sure I wouldn’t miss an episode are/were “Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe”, “Taking the Flak”, “Garrow’s Law”, “Empire of the Seas” and “Being Human”. My guilty pleasures (hey, we all have them!): “Antiques Roadshow” and “How clean is your house?”
- I once used my resource books to build a labyrinth to play in for my cats.
AND “THE BEAUTIFUL BLOGGER AWARD” GOES TO…
… five blogs for now, because all other of my favourites have already received the award from elsewhere. Two more will follow!
COSTUME, CATS AND THE 18TH CENTURY
GILLRAY’S PRINTSHOP OF HISTORICAL ABSURDITIES
Being one amateur historian’s exploration of the 18th and 19th centuries.
THE MACARONIS
Historical Romance out of the Closet
Resource: Battle of the Nile – The Crocodile Sword
Admiral James Saumarez, 1st Baron de Saumarez (one of Nelson’s “Band of Brothers”), was wounded during the Battle of the Nile while still captain. You’ll be glad to hear that no Saumarezes were harmed during the production of the “Antiques Roadshow” on Guernsey.
The “Antiques Roadshow” is one of my guilty pleasures. Due to lack of attic I’ll never find a treasure in an old shoebox, but it’s fun to see other people’s reactions when that “ugly old vase in the garden shed” turns out to be made in the 15th century and is worth a fortune.
“Congratulations! This vase is worth £ 20’000 at least!”
“Oh. Jolly good.”
But I admit, the best moments are when some pretentious snob learns that the “guaranteed authentic jerry of Henry VIII.” he bought for insane money on ebay turns out to be an Italian flowerpot dating back to the 50ies. One of my favourites was the rather snippy lady, descendant of one of Nelson’s captains, who turned up with a plate supposed to be “part of Nelson’s victory service”. Alas – it was a French piece, produced to celebrate – well. The less we know, the better. Where was I? Ah yes, Captain Saumarez.
Nelson was presented by his captains (the “Crocodile Club”) with a special sword, commemorating the victory of the Battle of the Nile. It was a beautiful piece, with a hilt in the shape of a crocodile. Copies were made for the various captains, and luckily for us, the current Lord de Saumarez brought the one of his anchestor along when the Antique Roadshow set up its tents in Guernsey, on the family’s former estate, Saumarez Park (which is now owned by the state).
The sword is a masterpiece. The greyish-bits on the blade used to be bright blue. I was glad to hear the family has no intention to sell it, despite an estimated value of £ 150’000 – £ 200’000. Personally, I think that pieces of historical importance like this one should either stay with the family or in a museum, not in the safe of a collector. So two thumbs up for the Saumarez-family, and thanks for sharing it with the public. You can watch the episode of the Antique Roadshow for another 2 days here.
Have you seen our new blog yet?
2010 – Admiral Collingwood’s year
Age of Sail: Painting of Naval Battle – does anybody know anything about this?
Today I bought this painting at a local thrift store. It’s not a print, and the previous owner went to some lengths having it framed. However, it looks familiar to me, so I think it’s a copy somebody made of some well-known painting. It’s very good work, by the way, and I like it a lot, but there are neither a signature nor a date on it.
So, my dear naval experts and Age of Sailers, can you tell me anything about it? Year? Artist? Anything? I’d be very grateful for hints.
Thanks a lot in advance for your help. If you click on the picture below, you’ll get a huge picture which will show you more details.
And the Winner of Molly Joyful’s Joyful Yuletide Contest is…
KELSEY!
Just like most of those who mailed in for the contest, she knew the right answer to the question: “What was the name of Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood’s dog?”
BOUNCE!
Congratulations! Your Christmas presents – the book “Naval Wives & Mistresses” by Margarette Lincoln, one Nelson Writing Set, a scented candle from L’Occitane and chocolate – are already on the way and will hopefully make it across the big pond in time for Christmas.
Some have inquired what “breed” Bounce was. Answer: nobody knows, but in the 18th century, there weren’t 20398305830 different dog breeds as you know them today. From Collingwood’s letters we can assume that Bounce was a large dog – so there goes the amusing thought of a French poodle aboard HMS Royal Sovereign!
Tsar Peter the Great and his pet dog (rumoured to be called "Fluffy").
Many thanks to everybody who participated in this contest. I promise that we’ll have another one soon!
Molly Joyful’s Joyful Yuletide Contest!
‘t is the season to be jolly!
And also time for
MOLLY JOYFUL’S JOYFUL YULETIDE CONTEST!
Gentlefolk with a keen interest in all things naval (as well as all other gentlefolk reading this journal) are cordially invited to participate in our annual contest and hopefully win a Yuletide parcel containing the following:
1 x book “Naval Wives & Mistresses” by Margarette Lincoln
An innovative study of naval women who stayed at home while their men went to sea. Focusing on the second half of the eighteenth century, a period when Britain was almost continuously at war, this book looks at different social groups, from the aristocratic elite to the labouring and criminal poor, prostitutes and petty thieves. Drawing on a range of material from personal letters to trial reports, from popular prints to love tokens, it exposes the personal cost of warfare and imperial ambition. Published by the National Maritime Museum.
1 x “Nelson Writing Set”
A writing set containing 10 sheets of ecru writing paper and 10 envelopes in a presentation wallet. The paper is watermarked with the battle plan of Trafalgar and there is a special feature of Nelson’s hand drawn battle plan on the reverse of the envelope – the original having been recently discovered in the archive of the National Maritime Museum’s archive.
1 x L’Occitane en Provence: Bougie parfumée “Cerise Gourmande”
Sweet cherry scented candle from L’Occitane, Miss Molly Joyful’s preferred suppliers of all things beautifying and lovely scented. L’Occitane is a French company, known for cosmetics of best quality. They support local production and don’t test their products on animals. I joyfully approve!
And because Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without sweets, you’ll also get some chocolate!
And what do you have to do to win such lovely gifts?
Just send an email to
joyful_molly at yahoo.co.uk
and answer the following question:
“What was the name of Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood’s dog?”
A) Snowy
B) Lassie
C) Bounce
Deadline: 15 December, 2009, midnight GMT.
Please read the following rules before you send off your mail.
RULES:
1. By participating in this contest, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted the rules.
2. You have to be at least 18 years old to participate.
3. Please be fair: only send in one mail per person.
4. No cash pay-out of your prize.
5. No correspondence will be held over the outcome of the contest.
6. If you are the winner, you’ll have to provide us with your name and address.
7. We’ll send your prize out asap, but have no influence on postal services. We hope your parcel will be with you before Christmas, though.
8. Should, for any reason beyond our control, one of the prizes not be available, we’ll replace it with a different prize of the same value.
Joyful Molly 