Half Model of a 40-Gun Frigate c. 1806

This half model of a 40-gun frigate was made anonymously, using wood. A ship model like this would have served a very specific function within the culture of shipbuilding, acting as a key tool in the design and construction process. Shipbuilding in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly for naval vessels, was a complex undertaking, enmeshed with the economic and political ambitions of European powers. Navies were not simply about military might; they were powerful symbols of national prestige. The design of ships, therefore, was closely guarded and subject to regulation. The level of detail and craftsmanship displayed here reflects the value placed on naval power. Today, we can study Admiralty records, shipwrights’ manuals, and the ships themselves to understand the art and science of shipbuilding. Each element of this model has a story to tell about the maritime world. It is a world of social hierarchies, technological innovation, and colonial expansion.