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

This ‘Half Model of a 40-Gun Hooker Frigate’ is an object whose date and maker are unknown, assembled from wood and metal elements. It's a striking study in contrasts: the stark white hull against the dark, layered decking, all set against a muted terracotta backdrop. The linear precision in the ship's design, coupled with the rhythmic arrangement of gunports, introduces a semiotic interplay. The model serves as a sign, pointing to the complex naval architecture and maritime power of its time. Each component, from the bow's gilded figurehead to the slender masts, adheres to a structural logic, reflecting a world where naval dominance was paramount. The choice to present only half the ship destabilizes our sense of wholeness, inviting us to consider the unseen, perhaps alluding to the vast, unseen networks of trade, conflict, and cultural exchange that these vessels facilitated. The model challenges fixed notions of maritime representation, prompting us to question the values of exploration and conquest.