... an unidentified naval officer...

[anteros_lmc]

A few more covetable items from the Charles Miller auction which is taking place in London next Wednesday...

Look at this beautiful navy boy, isn't he gorgeous? I find it rather sad that he has lost his name. Someone must have cherished this little portrait once.

Miniature portrait of an unidentified naval officer of c.1820, oil on ivory ovoid in glazed pocket case, 2½ x 2in. (6.5 x 5cm.) Estimate: £100-150.

These two Napoleonic French prisoner of war model ships are expected to fetch between £10,000 and £25,000! The ship on the left is HMS Canopus a 100 gun first rate ship of the line made from bone and baleen. The catalogue entry states that she was recently found in the attic of a country house in Southern Ireland, family hearsay places the model to a mid-19th Century naval officer ancestor and it's thought to have been in the attic for over 100 years. The ship on the right is a boxwood and baleen model of the 74 gun Guerrier captured at the Battle of the Nile.

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

He is a post captain, right? He has awesome hair. And just look at those big eyes. I hope he came home safe to whoever it was that loved him so.

As for the ships, they make me a little sad, somehow. I get the feeling that whoever made them wanted terribly to get back to sea. I hope they got a good price for their work and some comforts in their captivity.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Yes, he's a post captain of less than three years seniority, hence the single epaulette on the right shoulder. Though I confess I had to look that up :} He's very handsome isn't he?

I hope he came home safe to whoever it was that loved him so.
Oh yes, I hope so too.

I get the feeling that whoever made them wanted terribly to get back to sea.
I think you're right. It's almost like all that desperate longing is poured into all the tiny excruciating detail. Beautiful and evocative though they are, the prices that these ships command now just astonishes me.

[vespican.livejournal.com]

The unknown officer's rank might depend upon when the portrait was painted. If before 1812 or so, he would indeed be a post-captain... less than three years seniority. He would gain a second epaulette after reaching three years. But if this depicts an officer after 1812, he might be a lieutenant. If I remember correctly, after that time, a lieutenant had a plain epaulette on the right shoulder. A master and commander then had two plain. A post-captain under three had two with an anchor on each, while if over three years he would have a crown added.

Regarding Canopus... I can only detect two gundecks, not three that a 100 gun ship would have, even allowing for the upper deck not being painted with a stripe. Also, according to the list of US and British ships I have, Canopus was an 80 gun ship. (???) Nonetheless, both models are exquisite.
Dave

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

You are right about Canopus, the only ship of that name I can locate is the 80 gun second rate. The description above is taken from the auction catalogue, so maybe it is taken from "family hearesay" too! ;)

The are beautiful models though aren't they? The attention to detail is stunning. I have seen several similar models in museums here but I would love to really get up close to one.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Thanks Dave.

It is impossible to tell from his hair if he is pre 1812, or after. And I suppose he could be hiding another epaulette on the other shoulder--can't really see. (But if he had two he would probably have been painted more front on to show it.)

Wonder if he got the painting made just after making post. I love the way he is shown, whoever he is, the artist captured a sort of hesitant pride that is very appealing.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

But if he had two he would probably have been painted more front on to show it.
I agree. I am sure he only has one epaulette, so that makes him either a pre 1812 junior post captain or a post 1812 lieutenant!

I love the way he is shown, whoever he is, the artist captured a sort of hesitant pride that is very appealing.
He is really very captivating isn't he? And if you look below, you'll see he has captivated mylodon's heart too :)

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

You...you...temptress. Guess who's just rung them about putting in an absentee bid for the little bloke? I'll let you know if I have the guts to do it.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Hehe! I came that close to putting in a bid but managed to restrain myself :} Let me know how you get on. I'm sure you would give him a wonderful home and love him every bit as much as whoever carried his little portrait almost two hundred years ago :)

Good luck! *crosses fingers*

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope you put in a bid. I hope you get to take him home. I am sure he will be happy with you.