Model of Part of a Rigged Foremast with Parrel Brace 1838

This is a model of a rigged foremast with parrel brace, created by Rijkswerf Amsterdam. While the exact date of its creation is unknown, it reflects a period when naval power was critical to trade, colonization, and warfare. Consider for a moment the labor that went into constructing such vessels. The work would have been intensely gendered, raced and classed. This model embodies both the ingenuity and the exploitation inherent in maritime history. Skilled craftsmen, often working under harsh conditions, were central to building and maintaining these ships. Yet the romantic idea of sailing often obscures the lived realities of sailors, many of whom were from marginalized communities. The ship becomes a microcosm of the social hierarchies of the time, with officers enjoying privilege and ordinary seamen facing danger and hardship. This model invites us to reflect on how maritime power has shaped global dynamics, and the human stories of those who navigated its waters.