Half Model of an 80-Gun Ship of the Line c. 1797

This is a half model of an 80-Gun Ship of the Line, crafted anonymously with wood and metal. Maritime power during the age of sail was more than the mastery of the seas. It was deeply intertwined with the exploitation of resources and people across continents. Ships like these were instruments of both trade and coercion, embodying the complex relationship between commerce, colonialism, and conflict. Consider the human cost of these vessels. Built by skilled artisans, they were sailed by men from all walks of life facing perilous conditions. They were also the means by which enslaved people were transported across the Atlantic. As you look at the model, think about the lives of those connected to these ships. Though silent now, this model speaks volumes about an era defined by ambition, innovation, and profound human suffering.