Cargo vessel; Pole junk

Scale: Unknown. A model of a Foochow pole junk made entirely in wood with metal fittings. The hull is painted gloss black with brightly coloured upperworks in white, green, maroon, dark blue, and pink. There are oculi at the bow and the bluff bow decoration includes a stylised mouth with two whale-like teeth. There are a pair of sea serpents painted on the stern quarters and the elaborately painted and highly detailed stern decoration includes a phoenix rising from the sea. The model has three masts with set sails. The foremast is rigged forward and the main mast has a gilded fish finial. The forward deck includes a small covered square hatch, a pair of stocked anchors rigged to davits, and an eight-bar capstan. The main deck is accessed from the forward deck by two companion ladders. At the rear of the main deck is a set of sliding wooden panels which give access to the interior. The poop deck has a glazed skylight, a single davit from which is rigged a companion way and a mizzen mast. There are a pair of stern davits with integral blocks. The model is mounted on a pair of elaborately carved and brightly painted supports which are fixed to a rectangular wooden baseboard.

Object Details

ID: AAE0054
Collection: Ship models
Type: Full hull model; Rigged model; Sails set
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: Unknown
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 985 mm x 1090 mm x 310 mm