This early-20th century waterline model of HMS Victory above is believed to have been constructed from the ship’s timbers by the artist Harold Wyllie (1880-1973).
Wyllie, who was the eldest son of the noted marine artist William Wyllie (1851-1931), became an expert in marine archaeology and was appointed to restore Nelson’s famous flagship to her Trafalgar condition.
This fully rigged model with silver sails was commissioned to be used as a table centrepiece by Adam Wood of Skeldon House in Ayrshire. It was subsequently acquired by the vendor’s grandfather when the estate was sold in 1926.
According to Wyllie’s letters, the model was exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1912 “as a piece of sculpture before ship models were prohibited from their galleries”. He also states that he was given the timbers from Victory by Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock (1862-1914).
The model is estimated at £4000-5000 in a maritime sale at Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on August 14.
bhandl.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
While various locks of Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s hair survive, it is highly unusual to find one with a dated presentation and even more so to before the launch of the ‘45 campaign.
Given the date of this presentation inscription, it appears this lock above must have been given to a supporter while Charles waited to embark on his journey to Scotland from Dunkirk in 1744.
It is estimated at £2000-3000 as part of a collection of Jacobite memorabilia offered by Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh in the August 14 sale of Scottish Silver & Applied Arts.
lyonandturnbull.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
