British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship, Circa 1875

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British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Ship at Sunset (Woolie)

This is a beautiful and well-preserved example of a … Read more British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Ship at Sunset (Woolie)

This is a beautiful and well-preserved example of a British Sailor's Woolwork, or "woolie," dating from the peak period of the art form, circa 1875. These intricate textile pieces were a popular form of folk art crafted by sailors, primarily of the Royal Navy, during their long voyages at sea.

The embroidery depicts a meticulously rendered starboard side view of a large Royal Navy ship, possibly a frigate or ship-of-the-line, under full sail and positioned close to shore. The ship is shown flying a distinctive white flag with a canton (the upper quarter next to the mast) of alternating blue and red squares. The sails are often rendered using a subtle stuffing or trapunto technique, giving them a slight three-dimensional effect.

A remarkable artistic element of this piece is the sky, which features a vibrant, checkerboard pattern of color, likely intended by the sailor-artist to represent the dramatic, shifting light of a sunset. The creative liberties taken with perspective and the bold, expressive use of color are hallmarks of genuine sailor's folk art.

Dimensions: 14 1/4 inches high x 18 3/4 inches (36.20 cm high x 47.63 cm wide).

Condition: Lovely example with wonderful color and subject.

Historical Context: The Era of Sailor's Woolwork (Circa 1860–1880)

The Craft of the 'Woolie':

Sailor's woolwork, or "woolies," emerged in the mid-19th century and reached its creative zenith between 1860 and 1880. These embroideries were created using small pieces of brightly dyed Berlin wool thread stitched onto a fabric backing, often scrap sail canvas or cotton. Contrary to romantic myth, they were not always stitched solely to "while away lonely hours." Sailors, who already possessed the necessary skills for intricate canvas and needlework, often produced these pieces in port or during long periods at sea as a source of extra income, selling them as souvenirs or presenting them as gifts (known as "love tokens") to family and sweethearts back home.

Royal Navy Subject Matter:

The vast majority of surviving woolies are British, and most depict Royal Navy ships, reflecting the deep pride sailors had in their service and their vessels. The ships are almost always shown broadside and in full sail, representing the ship's most majestic profile. The inclusion of unique and sometimes non-standard flags, like the one on this piece, along with the charmingly stylized sea and sky, mark these textile pieces as highly individual and expressive examples of genuine maritime folk art.

(Ref: NY10633-nurr) See less