This model features the Napoleonic War ship, HMS BULWARK, a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. Considered a pinnacle artform of the ship modeling craft, bone ships made by prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars are among the most collectible maritime artifacts and are a specialty of our gallery.
The model itself is well made with aligned nails and even planks on her hull. The cannon decks have alternating darker pieces in three rows for a striking look. Decorative details include floral motifs on the bow and stern, an eagle's head figurehead, as well as nice carving and paint details on her quarter galleries.
Well presented, the model sits on an inlaid wood, bone and ebony stand and is set within an antique glass dome case.
HMS BULWARK was laid down in 1804 and launched on 23 April 1807 at Portsmouth. So while the plaque says she was at Trafalgar, the ship wasn't finished when the battle took place. The plaque is otherwise correct with historical record regarding the ship's size and weight. The plaque is not original to the piece and may have been Inchesadded later."
HMS BULWARK lived up to her name defending Britain's shores and the ship had a great career at sea in the Napoleonic Wars as well as seeing action in the War of 1812, and is known to have captured a few American Privateers.
She was designed by Sir William Rule as one of the large class 74s, and was the only ship built to her draught. She was built at Portsmouth Dockyard by Nicholas Diddams. As a larger than usual ship of her class she carried the larger 24 pound guns rather than the typical 18 pounders.
The supreme sailing warships of their age, British Ships-of-the-Line were classified first, second or third class by the number of cannons they carried.
The model is a nice example of not only the maker's art but of presentation and period appreciated for these models.
Model measures: 10 1/4 inches long x 9 3/8 high. Hull 8 1/4 inches.
