19th Century Sailor’s Woolie of Flag-Bedecked Triple Decker Ship of the Line, circa 1850

19th Century Sailor’s Woolie of Flag-Bedecked Triple Decker Ship of the Line, circa 1850, a British sailor’s hand-crafted woolwork picture with a larboard side view of a triple decked ship-of-the-Line under furled sails, fully dressed with Blue Union Jack, Red Naval Ensign, Flag of Four Nations, and a full array of Signal Flags, on deep blue sea under dramatic sky.

This is an exceptional woolie expertly crafted with a variety of short, very short, cable, long and curved stitches. the tight and precise work is stunning. The detail to the rigging is complex and accurate. The gun barrels protruding from gunports are actually head knots. This is a top notch woolwork and by far the finest and most sophisticated we have ever had.

The woolie remains in excellent condition with no discernible damage and strong, deep colors, mounted in its original curly maple frame.

Sailor’s woolworks were a craft taught at British Naval Hospitals, and were in effect the world’s first occupational therapy. The majority were made between the 1830s and 1880s, and while sailors then turned to other crafts in vogue, some were occasionally made up to the World War I era. The sailors who took to the craft continued to make them in ever more elaborate and fanciful patterns after release, to sell to locals and tourists in order to support themselves.

Even those woolies depicting American or other nation’s flags were made by the British sailors (they knew their market well)! However, a very small percentage were also made by Trinity House lighthouse keepers, and a tiny amount by sailors from other nations (who most likely had served at one time on a British ship).

Measures: 13-3/4 in H x 16-3/4 in W
Framed: 17 in H x 21-1/8 in W