19th Century Sailor’s Woolie of a Sloop of War, circa 1840 or earlier

19th Century Sailor’s Woolie of a Sloop of War, circa 1840 or earlier, a British sailor’s hand crafted woolwork starboard side view of the cruiser Brig-Sloop HMS FROLIC sailing past a lighthouse, with a Pilot Schooner in the background and a flock of seabirds in the air above off the bow, amid various toned clouds in the sky; the armed sloop is identified in a banner at bottom. The ivory hue and composition is remarkably reminiscent of scrimshaw engravings on whale teeth which were becoming popular among whalemen at this time in history. The flock of gulls in particular makes me think of “The Albatross Engraver.” Very cool indeed.

The HMS FROLIC was launched in 1806 and was captured by the USS WASP in 1812. This is a very early woolie… one wonders if it was made by a sailor who had served years before aboard the FROLIC.

The woolie remains in great condition, and is mounted in its original bird’s eye maple frame with lemon gilt filet.

Measures: 17-1/2 in H x 20-1/2 in W                                                                                                                                             Framed: 20-1/2 in H x 26-1/2 in WS