Model of a 24-Gun Frigate c. 1780 - 1806

This model of a 24-Gun Frigate was created by an anonymous artist, using wood, textile, and cordage. Look closely, and you'll notice the care taken to replicate the texture and form of a real frigate. Each piece of wood, meticulously shaped and joined, speaks to the skills involved in shipbuilding. The textile and cordage of the sails evoke the ship's maritime context, indicative of a deep understanding of naval architecture. In the age of sail, frigates were the workhorses of global trade and naval power, and required collaboration across various trades, from forestry and carpentry, to textile production. The model then, becomes more than just a replica. It speaks to the vast networks of labor, politics, and consumption that sustained maritime culture. By appreciating the material and making of this frigate model, we can gain a fuller understanding of its cultural significance, and challenge the distinctions between fine art and craft.