Half Model of a 36-Gun Frigate c. 1785

This half model of a 36-Gun Frigate was made anonymously, from wood. These models served as a crucial bridge between design and construction in shipbuilding. Let's consider this object in relation to the histories it carries. The frigate, a warship, embodies a complex intersection of power, trade, and conflict during the age of exploration and colonialism. It represents technological advancement but also the violence and exploitation that accompanied maritime expansion. The model, while seemingly benign, is implicated in this history. Who were the people involved in the construction and operation of these ships? They ranged from skilled craftsmen and navigators to enslaved laborers, whose stories are often marginalized. What was it like to be at sea on one of these ships? What did it mean to those displaced by the ship’s journeys? This model quietly reflects the narratives, identities, and power dynamics embedded in maritime history.