19th Century Sailor s Woolie of a Double Decker Ship of the Line, circa 1850

19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Triple Decker Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850, depicting a starboard side view of a majestic square-rigged...

19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a British Frigate, circa 1870 , a British sailor's hand-crafted woolwork picture with a large starboard side view of a frigate with single gun deck, u...

19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a British Steam Frigate, circa 1850, a hand crafted sailor's woolwork picture with larboard side view of a British Naval Auxiliary Steam Frigate unde...

19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a British Frigate Within Floral Reserve, circa 1840, a British Sailor's hand-crafted woolwork picture with a larboard side view of a ship-rigged friga...

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...

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...

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...