Model of the Closing of a Well of a Screw c. 1856

This is a model of a well of a screw, made in an unknown year by Rijkswerf Vlissingen. The model's made of wood and metal, and clearly demonstrates technical expertise. The wooden components are precisely carved and assembled, while the metal parts show knowledge of working with different materials. The piece likely served an instructional purpose within the shipyard, allowing workers to visualize the construction and functionality of complex mechanisms. It reveals the labor and skill involved in shipbuilding, and suggests the collective effort of a workforce, rather than the vision of a single artist. While the model might not be considered 'art' in the traditional sense, it reflects the aesthetics and values of an industrial context. It also challenges the distinction between art and craft.