Royal/ceremonial vessel; Barge, state

Scale: Unknown. A model of an Indian state barge of the Amirs of Sindh made entirely in wood with organic material fittings. The model is unpainted and is patinated a uniform dark brown colour. The hull is punt-shaped, but deep with a flat bottom and steeply raked at the bow and stern. The bow and stern are square and the stern rises slightly. There are no bulwarks, instead the deck is flush-fitted with a well just aft of amidships. An elaborate frame at the stern supports a vertical stern post to which is attached a large detachable rudder. The bottom of the stern post is fixed to the hull by a long horizontal beam, a diagonal v-shaped brace whose arms are fixed to the stern quarters and a bar fixed to the aft deck. The well is square in shape and protected by an awning, open on all four sides by elaborately carved arched openings. The awning is surmounted by a flat, square roof, with a solid balustrade and sloping edges. A short companion ladder forward provides access to the shelter. Provision for a single mast is just forward of amidships, and immediately aft is a transverse slot in the deck that provides access to the model's interior. Aft of the slot are two fixing points on the deck that secure the mast's extensive standing and running rigging. A second awning towards the bow is also square in plan view and is positioned over a shallow depression in the deck. This awning also has decoratively pierced openings on all four sides but has a domed roof that terminates in points at the four corners. The roof is covered with a piece of felt-like material that precisely fits the shape of the roof and is tied in position. The model is equipped with two oars and mast with sail (very degraded) and rigging. On a label applied to the foredeck is "Jhumtee, Karachi".
Close

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:
Tel: (during Library opening hours)

Click “Continue” below to continue processing your order with the Library team.

Continue