Boatswain's call
Silver boatswain's call, the keel with wrigglework decoration, including an anchor design, and a scroll end. An initial 'M' is stamped on one side of the keel. The rounded buoy has a foul anchor at each side.
The boatswain's call has a long history both as a symbol of office and as a practical instrument for conveying orders at sea. Its distinctive shape has remained practically unchanged from medieval times to the present day. The call's shrill whistle can be varied in pitch to convey a variety of information, and can be heard above the sound of wind and sea. Such instruments were private possessions rather than official equipment and silver calls like this one made suitable gifts and presentation pieces.
The boatswain's call has a long history both as a symbol of office and as a practical instrument for conveying orders at sea. Its distinctive shape has remained practically unchanged from medieval times to the present day. The call's shrill whistle can be varied in pitch to convey a variety of information, and can be heard above the sound of wind and sea. Such instruments were private possessions rather than official equipment and silver calls like this one made suitable gifts and presentation pieces.
For more information about using images from our Collection, please contact RMG Images.
Object Details
ID: | PLT0399 |
---|---|
Collection: | Decorative art |
Type: | Boatswain's call |
Display location: | Display - Sea Things Gallery |
Creator: | Tant, William |
Date made: | 1792-1793; 1792-93 |
Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
Measurements: | 135 x 25 x 22 mm |
Your Request
If an item is shown as “offsite”, please allow eight days for your order to be processed. For further information, please contact Archive staff:
Email: library@rmg.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 8312 6516 (during Library opening hours)
Click “Continue” below to continue processing your order with the Library team.