Scale: approximately 1:80. A contemporary full hull plank on frame model of the French 52-gun frigate ‘Sirene’ (1823). A highly detailed model both in terms of its rigging, which includes sails stowed on the yards, down to the wealth of fittings on the hull. These include a double wheel with binnacle boxes, guns on carriages with shot racks, a full set of anchors and gear, boats including early examples of whalers on the quarter davits and a very early representation of a lifebuoy rigged over the stern. The hull is also complete with copper sheathing.

The design of the figurehead would suggest a name such as ‘Nereide’ or ‘Sirene’, both of which are to be found among the frigates of this class in the first half of the 19th century. The former was, however, not launched until 1836, whereas the fleur-de-lys in the stern decoration is not possible after 1830. However, the mirror on the stern counter is more appropriate for the ‘Sirene’, which was built at Toulon in 1823. Measuring 171 feet along the waterline and a beam of 45 feet, she was the French flagship at the battle of Navarino in 1827. She later served as a troopship in the Russian war of 1854-55 and was eventually removed from the Royal Navy active list in 1861.