Ships, Folk Art, and Whimsey in Bottles

This is a "Galeere Anno 1480" built in a bottle. This ship is a long and narrow rowed warship with auxiliary sails. It would have sailed in the Mediterranean and it flies the flag of Sweden, an ensign, and long banners. The ship has two masts, a fore and a main mast with immense lateen yards with sails bound and tied off. The lateen yards are two spars lashed together at the thicker ends to form one. The hull is painted black and there is considerable overhang at the bow and stern. The ship has a long straight bowsprit. There is a fore castle and stern castle, highly decorated in blue, white, and gold paints and a long raised deck running the length of the ship. The ship has 10 long oars on each side of the hull. The rigging is very accurate, detailed, and well-done with blocks and tackle. The bottle rests on supports glued to a small plinth. The bottle is sealed with a cork and a Turk's Head knot is tied around the neck.