Miniature Case Models:
Gabrielle also builds miniature ship models in glass cases. These models are completely hand crafted, highly detailed miniatures displayed as waterline dioramas or free standing models.
Under Construction:
USS Bonhomme Richard 1765 Scale 1:432 (36' =1")
This model will be more detailed than the last. Her hull is carved from a solid block of wood planked over with pear wood and the deck planks are maple. I fabricated stranded cord from fly tying line and the rest of her rigging is either copper or nickel chromium wire. Here masts and yards are bamboo and miniature canons were turned down from boxwood. She will ultimately be displayed sailing alone as a waterline model on a hand-carved, wooden sea.
USS Bonhomme Richard 1765 Scale 1:432 (36' =1")
This model will be more detailed than the last. Her hull is carved from a solid block of wood planked over with pear wood and the deck planks are maple. I fabricated stranded cord from fly tying line and the rest of her rigging is either copper or nickel chromium wire. Here masts and yards are bamboo and miniature canons were turned down from boxwood. She will ultimately be displayed sailing alone as a waterline model on a hand-carved, wooden sea.
Workboats of the Chesapeake Bay - Circa 1930 Scale 1:170
Waterline Diorama in a Glass Case containing with the Skipjack E. C. Collier, the Bugeye Edna E. Lockwood, the Buyboat F. D. Crockett, and a Hooper Island Draketail.
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE: Contact for price
Waterline Diorama in a Glass Case containing with the Skipjack E. C. Collier, the Bugeye Edna E. Lockwood, the Buyboat F. D. Crockett, and a Hooper Island Draketail.
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE: Contact for price
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The Story:
The Skipjack E. C. Collier is having a successful start to the day, dredging oysters under a light breeze beyond the shallows where the crew on the Hooper Island Draketail deadrise are hand tonging. The captain of the Buyboat F. D. Crockett looks on through his binoculars, waiting for the moment to collect a load of oysters, as the captain of the Bugeye Edna E. Lockwood greets the buyboat with a friendly wave as they head for harbor to pick up a load of lumber. The Historic Workboats of the Chesapeake Bay: Built in 1924, the F. D. Crockett is a 9 log-bottom built buyboat . She was completely restored and is currently maintained by project manager John England and his dedicated crew of volunteers. The Edna E. Lockwood was built in 1889 and is the last survivor of the log-hull bugeyes. Like the Crockett, her hull is made of 9 logs. The boat has been lovingly cared for and gone through multiple restorations by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Micheals, Maryland, where she is maintained in sailing condition. The Skipjack E. C. Collier was built in 1910 and is a permanent exhibit at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in Maryland. The Hooper Island Draketail is a deadrise built Chesapeake Bay workboat, given its name because of its lovely reversed, round transom. |
Pemaquid Friendship Sloop Scale 1:72
Available for purchase - Contact for price
Available for purchase - Contact for price
USS Bonhomme Richard Passing Flamborough Head Chalk Cliffs:
SOLD on commission
SOLD on commission
The USS Bonhomme Richard, captained by John Paul Jones, is displayed passing the chalk tower at Flamborough Head where in September of 1779 she engaged in battle with the British and forced the surrender of the HMS Serapis. Upon request by the commander of the Serapis for Jones to surrender, he responded with his famous line, "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight!" The hull is of solid, carved basswood construction, with a maple planked deck, and plum wood strakes. The canons are boxwood. The masts are of turned bamboo and sails are 60 grams archival bible paper. Rigging lines are a mixture of fly tying thread and wire, with blocks and deadeyes present. The ship is sailing on a broad reach upon a basswood carved and painted sea. Two small fishing cobles sail near the Flamborough chalk cliffs, on top of which, sit the famous chalk tower built in 1669. The scene is set in a custom walnut veneered case with 4mm glass panes. Scale: 1:432 or 36'=1" |
Restoration of the Taeping by Donald McNarry:
Gabrielle had the pleasure of restoring the miniature waterline model of the Taeping, built in 1957 by McNarry. The scale of the model is 32'=1." The model had been seriously damaged with all masts broken in multiple locations, many spars broken, bent or, missing, almost all of the square sails and studding sails damaged with minute damage to some staysails, and a significant amount of running and standing rigging detached, broken, and deformed.
Gabrielle had the pleasure of restoring the miniature waterline model of the Taeping, built in 1957 by McNarry. The scale of the model is 32'=1." The model had been seriously damaged with all masts broken in multiple locations, many spars broken, bent or, missing, almost all of the square sails and studding sails damaged with minute damage to some staysails, and a significant amount of running and standing rigging detached, broken, and deformed.
To maintain the original integrity and spirit of the model, a lot of attention was invested in researching and understanding the methods and materials used by Donald McNarry, by observing images reading descriptions of his models, and studying his books. Equivalent glues and materials were used for any item on the model that had to be replaced, repositioned, or refinished, with some exceptions. All detached pieces of the model were recuperated and used in the restoration, while fine archival bible paper was used to replaced damaged sails, nickel chromium wire was used to replace portions of the rigging that was missing or damaged, enamel paint was used for retouching, and a completely new glass case with walnut veneer was fabricated. The sea was carefully cleaned and two coats of varnish applied.
The decision was made between the client and artist to thoroughly repair the model while at the same time keeping all of the original materials as possible. Thus, the model was not disassembled and completely restored, but fixed as best as possible in place. Some adjusting to rigging lines was made with the objective that they lay more naturally (though not always possible), and only missing portions of the model were replaced with new materials.
The decision was made between the client and artist to thoroughly repair the model while at the same time keeping all of the original materials as possible. Thus, the model was not disassembled and completely restored, but fixed as best as possible in place. Some adjusting to rigging lines was made with the objective that they lay more naturally (though not always possible), and only missing portions of the model were replaced with new materials.