Half Model of a 40-Gun Hooker Frigate c. 1785

Editor: Here we have what's described as a "Half Model of a 40-Gun Hooker Frigate," created around 1785. It’s a mixed-media sculpture – wood, metal, and who knows what else! What strikes me is how much care went into constructing something like this. It’s a utilitarian object, but presented almost like a trophy. What can you tell me about this, from a materialist perspective? Curator: Exactly. Think about the labor involved in both shipbuilding *and* model-making in the late 18th century. Each piece of wood, each metal fitting… someone shaped and placed it. These weren't simply commodities; they represent skilled craftmanship and the immense human effort driving naval power. This isn’t just about aesthetic value; it’s about understanding the economic and social forces that shaped its creation. Editor: So, by focusing on the "means of production," we move past just admiring the object itself. Curator: Precisely. We need to ask ourselves: who had access to these resources? How were these materials acquired? How were the laborers treated who worked on the frigates and this model of a frigate? Consider the ecological impact, too - the forests depleted to build such a ship, or the mines exploited to acquire the metals. It reveals an entanglement of labour, resource extraction and technological progress. It hints at a complex network. Editor: That makes me think of global trade routes and colonial power too, with resources extracted from various places… Curator: Indeed. And where does this model fit in the broader culture? It's both art object *and* a kind of industrial design prototype, isn't it? A way to showcase capabilities. It blurred the lines between different forms of craft. Editor: I see it. So, looking at the materials helps us see not just the object, but the entire world around its creation. Curator: It allows a closer engagement with the socio-economic fabric in which this work was produced and consumed. Editor: Thank you. I will never look at a boat, or even a boat model, the same way!