c.1930 Fantastic Antique Ship in Bottle Folk Tramp A (04/04/2011)...

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c.1930 Fantastic Antique Ship in Bottle Folk Tramp Art

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c.1930 Fantastic Antique Ship in Bottle Folk Tramp Art

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Sold Date: 04/04/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Transportation and Vehicles

What's For Sale? ... This is a beautiful ship in bottle from around 1930 -- it could be late 1920's or early 1940's. Sometime around that period. This sib has everything one would look for in a high-end work of folk art. What makes it special? Details, large and small. Let's start with the obvious -- the bottle. You might notice from the photos that there is a window in the glass -- a perfect frame for all that is inside the bottle. You can see the window frame in the photos. It starts around one inch from the bottom of the bottle and goes to about two inches below the start of the bottle neck. This placement was no mistake -- It's a perfect frame to highlight all that is special inside. At the end of the neck is tightly wound twine, glued to the bottle. A small detail, but one that gives the bottle "pizazz" and makes it stand out. Details like that invite the viewer to look further inside. The bottle is an oblong Scottish whiskey bottle, 11 inches (28 cm) in length. The neck is capped with an old dry cork, which is original to the bottle (or at least original to the making of this sib).

Details, Details ... What really makes this ship in bottle better than most other sibs from this era is the ship model itself. It's very complicated and, accordingly, very realistic in appearance. It will look like it's sailing off your display shelf. You'll notice that there is no diorama -- I often find that to be the case when the skill of the maker is evident. There was no need to distract the viewer from what the artist wanted you to see -- his tight and detailed workmanship. The ship's hull is hand carved and hand painted a somewhat unusual matte green color. I haven't seen many sibs with this choice of color, and it's another element that makes this sib stand out. The painting is beautifully done. Next take a look on deck -- too many small details to mention. The interior of the deck is nicely carved out with an indentation, giving the hull natural siding. There are many cabins on board -- even a tiny wheel (aft) to steer the ship that you probably wouldn't even notice without a magnifying glass. I've looked at the wheel under high magnification and it's amazing (you'll never see it in the photos -- it's too small.) Every tiny detail on deck if finely made. The deck is a natural stain and the small details are painted, mostly white. The rigging on the ship model is very intricate and realistic looking. The bowsprit is similarly detailed and looks like the real thing. The ship flies what appears to be a British naval flag, but I'm not positive of that. There is only one nitpick I can offer about this lovely sib -- you may notice some dark stains on the sails. In my opinion that doesn't affect valuation at all -- it may well add to it, as it's an indication of this sib's significant age. There are no loose lines in the rigging, no loose shards or cabins inside the bottle. The sea resin has a lovely blue color with whitecaps -- as nice as everything on the model itself.

This is truly an incredible sib ... it would enhance any collection, no matter how nice, and be a worthy addition to display on any shelf of fine marine folk art.

Discounted Price ... Fair Warning ... I'm initially offering this sib at what I feel is a discounted rate. Very likely (assuming I remember), after a week or so I'm going to raise the price of this sib to $299 -- I actually think it's worth more than that. I remind everyone that I don't sell sibs to make a big profit ... it's a hobby and a passion. If one of my sibs don't sell, I'm OK with that -- I get to keep it!!

Don't hesitate to ask questions regarding this item :

Note: I'm cleaning out the sib closet . Check out my other items -- I'll be posting other ships in bottle in the very near future.

Interested in learning more about ships in bottle? Join the Ships in Bottle Association of America. Check out the website: / Learn more from the people who still make them. ...