In the huge church of Madonna dell'Arco, outside Naples, Italy, there are thousands of offerings from fishermen and ship's captains, some dating back to the 17th century. Votive models, carvings and paintings have a long history. Less expressive, but more detailed and refined are the models displayed in maritime museums the world over. Most of them originated from the model room of shipyards in the past, and they were used as a kind of salesman's model, to be presented to the Admiralty Board or the owner of a shipping line. More recent are the many models used by boys and girls in fancy sailor's dress, spending the summer holiday on the coasts of Brittany, Devon or Rhode Island. Launched into the local pond or in the seclusion of an ocean's inlet. All these and others constitute a wide variety of 'models', be it for use in decorating the home or for a superb collection on the wall of a man's den.
Note: Some models require limited assembly. Illustrated instructions provided.
