Half Model of an 18-Gun Brig c. 1826

This half model of an 18-Gun Brig was made anonymously at an unknown time and place. As a type of ship model, it likely served a practical purpose. Ship models like this one were often used in shipbuilding to test designs and visualize the final product. The layered construction of this model would allow shipbuilders to study the hull's shape and make adjustments before beginning full-scale construction. In societies reliant on naval power and maritime trade, shipbuilding was a major industry and an important part of the economy and politics. The institution of the navy played a central role in asserting state power on a global scale. Understanding this object requires a deep understanding of naval and maritime history. Maritime museums and archives can help us understand the technical aspects of shipbuilding and the social role that sailing ships played in exploration, trade, and warfare. Through researching these topics we can see how this object once served the needs of a powerful industry.