Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Inc. Folk Art

"Homecoming": British Sailor's Woolwork of the Screw Frigate H.M.S. Fox, Circa 1875 A charming and detailed British sailor's woolwork (or "woolie"), depicting a portside view of the...

The Sailor's Glimpse: Woolwork of a Family Object: Rectangular Woolwork Picture Origin: British (Sailor's Folk Art) Date: Circa 1860 Medium: Wool, Silk Thread on Fabric Ground, Fram...

The Sailor's Glimpse: Woolwork of a Family Object: Rectangular Woolwork Picture Origin: British (Sailor's Folk Art) Date: Circa 1860 Medium: Wool, Silk Thread on Fabric Ground, Fram...

"The Hearty Good Fellow": Rare Standing Pearlware Toby Jug (Staffordshire, c. 1800) A charismatic and vibrant English pearlware "Toby" jug, modeled in the scarce form known to collectors as the "Hearty Good Fellow." Dating to circa 1800, this piece represents a delightful departure from the standard seated Toby jug, depicting the figure in a standing, convivial pose. The figure is modeled with a distinct sense of movement, his head turned slightly to the left. He is dressed in the height of Georgian tavern fashion: a deep cobalt blue jacket, a bright orange waistcoat, and vivid yellow breeches. Under his right arm, he supports a large white ale jug, while his left hand holds a pipe across his chest. Reverse & Construction: The reverse reveals a robust rustic branch handle that extends downward into a molded tree-stump support. This integral support was a clever potter's device to stabilize the standing figure during firing. Both the handle and the rocky base are left in plain white pearlware—an unusual variation (as most examples feature green or brown painted bases)—which highlights the crispness of the molding. Condition: Good antique condition. Typical minor flaking to the glaze on the rim of the tricorn hat...

Hogshead Humor: A Victorian Folk Drinking Game Object: Figural Drinking Vessel (Jug and Cover/Cup) Origin: Belle-Vue Pottery, Rye, Sussex, England Maker: Frederick Mitchell Date: Ci...

Seafaring Artistry: A British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Ship, Circa 1865–75 This remarkable British sailor's woolwork, or "wool...

Sailor's Keepsake: Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama 🐚 ________________________________________ This is a charming and historically evocative Edwardian Shellwork Diorama, a clas...

Bootleggers' Delight: Scottish Pearlware Spirit Flasks Object: Pair of Sponged Spirit Flasks (Modelled as Boots) Medium: Pearlware Earthenware, Sponged Decoration Origin: Scotland D...

Pair of Scottish Pearlware Sponged Pottery 'Boot' Spirit Flasks, Mid-19th Century, Circa 1840-1850 This delightful and highly unusual pair of spirit flasks is a wonderful example o...

The Wiggly Wonder: Gilded Age Mocha Jug with Psychedelic Earthworm Stripes Get ready to obsess over this rare and historically charged piece of English Mocha Pottery! This charming ...

An Icon of Steam and Sail: Sailor J.H. Miller's Woolwork of HMS Brunswick Circa 1860 This monumental and intricately crafted woolwork, a testament to the folk art tradition of 19th-...

American Portrait Miniature: Woman in a White Gown Thomas Story Officer (1810–1859) Watercolor on Ivory, Gilded Frame Circa 1830–1836, Philadelphia This exquisite American portr...

Needlepoint Silkwork Large Picture of Central Park, 1930s This exceptional piece of Folk Art silkwork beautifully captures a vibrant slice of life in New York's Central Park during ...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Second Rate Royal Navy Ship, Circa 1760-65 The sailor's woolie depicts a port side view of a Second-Rate Royal Navy ship under full sail on a blue sea w...

Large and Historically Significant Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Atalanta, British, Circa 1880. This large and impressive sailor's woolwork, or "woolie," is a richly colored and wonderf...

Iron and Thread: A Sailor's Vision of the Ram-Bow Era This striking 19th-century sailor’s woolwork, or "woolie," captures the essence of a rapidly modernizing Royal Navy, depicting a warship whose very design speaks to an era of dramatic technological change. Crafted with painstaking detail from colored yarns, this textile artwork is a superb example of the folk art traditionally made by British sailors during their long hours at sea , between journeys or in retirement. Dimensions: 19 inches high x 18 1/8 inches wide x 2 inches deep. Historical Context: The Dawn of the Ironclads The vessel illustrated is a powerful, sail-assisted steam warship, but what makes her distinctive is the pronounced, jutting ram-bow visible at her waterline. This feature was a direct consequence of the rise of ironclad warships in the mid-19th century, following the tactical use of ramming during the American Civil War and the Austro-Italian War. The ram-bow was incorporated into new British warship designs from the 1860s onward, turning the bow itself into a formidable weapon. Dating to circa 1880, this woolie belongs to a period when the Royal Navy was building large, powerful capital ships—the very ships that carried the ram. The ship is accurately shown flying the White Ensign, the distinguishing flag of a commissioned Royal Navy warship, and a long white masthead pennant, confirming her status as a vessel in active commission. The simple, bold execution of the ship, set against a classic background of sea and segmented land, creates a work of remarkable visual strength. A Unique Square Presentation The woolwork is notable for its unusual and attractive near-square format, offering a distinct aesthetic among nautical woolies...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship off Land, Signed & Dated WR 1865. Crafted with meticulous detail, this charming miniature woolwork depicts a Royal Navy ship sailing nea...

Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship with Red Ensign off the Coast of Bermuda, Circa 1865 The British sailor's woolwork or woolie, as this type of artwork is called, depicts a port ...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Tea Clipper, Circa 1875 The large sailor's woolwork or woolie as they are also called depicts a port side view of a tea clipper ship...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ships in a Bay, Circa 1860-75 This charming sailor's woolwork, commonly referred to as a "woolie," presents a Royal Navy frigate at anchor in...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship in Bay, Circa 1860-75 This meticulously crafted sailor's woolwork, often called a "woolie," is rendered in Berlin wool and portrays a Ro...

British Sailor's Woolwork of the Barque Polly, Named "Polly", Circa 1885-95 Offered is a magnificent and historically significant British sailor's woolwork, or "woolie," dating to the last quarter of the 19th century. This exceptional piece presents a detailed port-side view of the three-masted barque Polly under full sail. The vessel's name is proudly displayed on a banner flown from the mainmast and is also visible on her bow, a testament to the sailor-artist's pride in his vessel. The artistry of this woolwork is particularly noteworthy. The sails are skillfully executed using the trapunto technique, a form of relief quilting where sections are padded from behind to create a dynamic, three-dimensional effect. This application masterfully conveys the impression of sails swollen with wind, bringing the scene to life. The sea is depicted in a series of rippling bands of green and white wool, a characteristic convention of this folk art form that effectively captures the motion of the water. This historically rich textile is presented in a handsome maple ogee-shaped frame, typical of the period and befitting the quality of the artwork. The piece is glazed with Museum UV glass, a modern conservation measure that significantly reduces light reflection and provides superior protection against fading and light damage. Historical Provenance: The Barque Polly The woolwork is a tribute to a specific and well-documented vessel. The barque Polly was built in the renowned shipyards of Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1885. The ship was christened at its launch by Marian "Polly" Woodside, the wife of the vessel's owner. In a charming departure from the traditional champagne, Mrs. Woodside tossed a cascade of flowers across the bow to christen the ship. The Polly embarked on numerous voyages, primarily serving the trade routes between South America and the United Kingdom, before being repositioned for service in the Pacific. As a barque, the Polly featured three masts, with the fore and mainmasts being square-rigged and the mizzenmast being fore-and-aft rigged. This configuration was highly popular for long-distance merchant vessels as it required a smaller crew than a fully-rigged ship, making it an economical choice for ocean crossings. A label affixed to the reverse of the frame indicates that this woolwork was featured on the acclaimed television program The Antiques Road...

English Pottery Pearlware Sailor Figures, Circa 1820. A lovely pair of English pottery pearlware figure groups each depicting a sailor resting on his sea trunk...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Ship circa 1765 The sailor's woolwork, also known as a woolie, depicts a port side view of a ...

American Folk Art metal basket of beaded fruit, Basket early 20th Century, fruit 1940s-60s. The dramatic early 20th Century metal openwork basket cont...

Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship Coming into Port, Circa 1865 The British sailor's woolwork has a dramatic view of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship coming i...

Sailor's Flag of Nations Woolwork with Heart Valentine and Flag Surround, Circa 1880 The distinctive British sailor's woolwork or woolie showcases a flag designed in a patriotic sty...

American Painted Cast Iron "Old Salt" Maine Fisherman Doorstop or Bookend, Hubley Manufacturing Company, The 1920s. The two larger figures depict an old salt fisherman standing ...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy White Fleet Frigate The sailor's woolwork depicts a portside view of a square-rigged three masted ship flying the White Ensign. The blue s...

Rare 18th century Whieldon-type creamware pottery cow, circa 1765. The rare press-moulded cow stands on a flat slab base with lobed edges. The cow is s...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship, The sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a starboard view of a Second-Rate Royal Navy Ship with three masts. T...

Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Reindeer of a Large Size, Made by Henry Payn Hopper, Circa 1865-70 The large woolie depicts a starboard side view of the HMS Reindeer under steam and sail. ...

British Sailor's Woolwork of Merchant Ship Under Full Sail, Circa 1875 The British sailor's woolie depicts a port side view of a large three-masted ship flying the Red Ensign on a f...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship, Circa 1875 The charming simple sailor's woolie depicts a starboard side view of a Royal Navy second rate battleship...

British Sailor's Woolwork Picture of Five Ships offshore, Circa 1875 The large sailor's woolwork or sailor's woolie depicts five different ships. The largest ship is in the center ...

British sailor's woolwork of three royal navy ships Circa 1885 The British sailor woolwork depicts an unusual scene of three different types of Royal Navy Ships which are all flying the White...

English Sailor's Woolwork of a Battleship, Circa 1865-75. The sailor's woolie depicts a starboard side view of a second rate battleship flying the White ensign under sail. White se...

Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Five-masted Ship under Steam, HMS Minotaur or HMS Agincourt, Minotaur Class Broadside Ironclad, circa 1880 The sailor's woolie depicts a portsi...