Large Carved and Painted Half Model of the Bark "HOTSPUR", American circa circa 1865
InformationModel of the American Ship “Hotspur” of The American Ship “Hotspur” circa 1857. The hull is painted black above the waterline and below the hull has a natural wood surface which is built up in 11 lifts. Like some of the finest half hulls, this model has between each left a contrasting thin sliver like left which is sandwiched between each of the standard lifts. This practice, which was difficult and time consuming and enabled the viewer to more easily see the lines of the hull along with adding an attractive decorative element. The model has a particularly attractive and complex backboard. The backboard has a ripple designed black painted frame with a beautifully grained veneered surface. Just below the hull at the center of the back board are fancy hand painted letters stating the ships name “Hotspur”. We have seen a similar rippled frame on 2 other fine half hulls Exceptional Builders half Hull that were also identified vessels from 1851 and 1866.
Condition: The model is in excellent condition, and the veneer backboard has been restored around the bow and stern sections of the backboard.
Note: According to Horatio Hathaway's "A New Bedford Merchant", the Hotspur was used exclusively for the China Trade. She was built in 1857 by Roosevelt & Joyce of New York, and she had a distinguished record of many fast voyages sailing from New York and San Francisco to the Far East. Her last voyage, from New York to Hong Kong in 1863.
Dimensions of Backboard: Height 13.25", Width 71 1/2"
Provenance: This model was deaccessioned from the New Bedford Whaling Museum in 2025.
