147 . NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR MODEL OF THE 92-GUN SHIP-OF-THE-LINE H . M . S ROYAL GEORGE , the model built up in a solid form with hull and deck planked in bone veneers from the keel up . At the bow , a native American figurehead with pivoting arms ; the waist and the strake between the gun ports are painted black ; carved and painted quarter galleries at the stern and a carved , pierced and painted transom with decoration of cherubs around a face . Other details include pin and fife rails , a belfry , guns on carriages , barrels , carved and polychromed figures on deck and in the rigging , polychrome decoration and detailing throughout , a bowsprit , three masts with cross spars all in bone , standing and running rigging . Mounted on a long keel block with steel hull supports , on a green felt-covered baseboard with carved bone decoration around the outer edge . Displayed within an ebonized wood framed glass display case . Case dimensions Height 22 ¼ in . Length 26 ¼ in . Width 11 ¾ in .
Provenance : J . D . Crimmons Collection , purchased from Max Williams by Mrs . J . Insley Blair , May , 1918 ; Sold Christie ’ s January 21 , 2006 , lot 587 ; Hyland Granby Antiques to private collector .
Note : This model is probably after the H . M . S . Royal George of 1756 . She was the first warship to exceed 2,000 tons and was commissioned at the start of the Seven Years ’ war with France . In 1782 , under Admiral Lord Howe , she was assembled for the permanent relief of Gibraltar . While taking on supplies August 29 th , H . M . S . Royal George was heeled at a slight angle to make some minor repairs below the waterline . The lower deck gun ports were not properly secured and the ship suddenly rolled over , filled with water and sank .
Rafael Osona Auctions
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