Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Inc. Sailors’ Woolwork & Valentines Catalogue, Summer 2022
A selection of our current stock of sailors’ woolies For more information please call: 212-308-2022 or email: info@vandekar.com for prices and price list.
British Sailor's Woolwork with Maker’s Name & American Ship, ” Walter Stannard” & Dated 1865. The sailor's woolie depicts a ship within a life preserver ring with the maker’s name and date, "Walter Stannard 1865", sown on the ring itself. The preserver is surmounted by various flags including the Turkish flag, The French flag as well as The Royal Navy Blue, Red & White Ensigns. At the top is a shield containing the Union Jack.
Below are three ships, a Royal Navy frigate with the White Ensign and an American Battleship with a merchant ship in front of them. The ships are depicted with the starboard side passing land with a British fort and lighthouse, the battlements flying the Union Jack with a sandy beach below. The sea is depicted in three color of blue and has waves with whitecaps. Dimensions: 22 1/4 x 26 1/2 inches framed; 19 x 23 inches sight. 2
American Ship's Helm with Brass Inlay of Shooting Stars and Stars, Early 20th Century The large decorative ship's wheel or helm are beautifully inlaid on both sides with brass decoration consisting of star groupings and depictions of shooting stars. The wheel, with ten spokes, is mounted on a matching rectangular base which has brass plates marked Port and Starboard. Dimensions: Total Height: 67 inches x 62 1/2 inch diameter x 12 1/2 inches deep 3
West Indian Sailor's Valentine, Barbados,
West Indian Sailor's Valentine, Barbados,
Circa 1880
Circa 1880
The large single sailor's valentine is composed from a variety of shells in The large single sailor's valentine is composed of a variety of shells in concentric and geometric patterns, centred with a heart motif, surrounded concentric and geometric patterns, centered with a pink peony enby three flowers; within an octagonal stained wood frame. closed within a pointed star within an octagonal stained wood frame. Dimensions: 13.86 inches wide x 13.82 inches Dimensions: 13.86 inches wide x 13.82 inches 4
West Indies Double Sailor's Valentine, Barbados, " Forget Me Not" Motto, Circa 1885 The double sailor's valentine from Barbados is formed within two hinged octagonal mahogany cases with the original loop clasp to the side. On the right side is a central oval design with the charming motto, "Forget Me Not" and on the left side a central heart shape all formed by different shells. Dimensions: Each side 8 1/2 inches x 8 1/2 inches 5
British Sailor's Woolwork of The Sailor's Farewell, Circa 1865 This is a particularly lovely example of this rare sailor's woolie subject. The Sailor’s Farewell and the Sailor's Return are a romantic motif found in British art of the 19th century. Here we have the farewell depicting a sailor in uniform with his loved one hugging him as they stand by their redbricked house which is located by the seashore. Dimensions: 23 1/2 inches high x 24 1/2 inches wide 6
British Sailor's Woolwork of British Royal Navy Ship Firing on an American Slave Ship, Circa 1860 The rare woolie depicts a Royal Navy ship firing warning shots at an American slave ship. The British ship flies the Red Ensign and is a sidewheeler. The firing is depicted with a blast wave shown in wool and a splash of the shot landing to the port side of the American flagged ship. Dimensions: 20 inches high x 32 1/2 inches wide 7
Sailor's Woolwork of a Fleet of Nine Royal Navy Ships, 1875 A wonderful and dramatic sailor's woolie of a starboard view of a fleet of nine Royal Navy ships of a variety of different classes including two rambow Ironsides, one probably the Pallas, a First Rate Battleship, Second Rate Battleships, and cutters and frigates steaming on a rough sea as they come into land with a lighthouse on their right and land with buildings to the left and a flagpole with a Union Jack on the shoreline. The ships all fly multiple flags and ensigns. With Tru-View Reflection Free glass. There are three small areas of old moth damage- two in the sky and one in the sea at the bottom left. Dimensions: 23 inches high x 32 inches wide. 8
Rare British Sailor's Woolwork of Two Royal Navy Ships– One Towing The Other, Circa 1875 The sailor's woolwork picture depicts a rare image of a Royal Navy cutter towing a Royal Navy second rate battleship with a chain tow. The ships both flying the Red Ensign are coming into land. The sea is beautifully depicted with a chain stitch with a dark blue and a series of white tops rolling towards the shore. Dimensions: 26 1/2 high x 38 inches wide. 9
Sailor's Woolwork Porthole View of H.M.S. Bristol, Circa 1875 The sailor's woolwork depicts a porthole view of the port side of a three-masted British Royal Navy Vessel flying the White Ensign. The fully dressed ship is at anchor, with sails furled and two visible funnels, upon a sea of two shades of blue. The inscription, ‘HMS Bristol’ is beautifully rendered in block letters. Dimensions: 22 1/2 inches high x 21 3/4 inches. 10
Sailor's Woolwork of Large Proportions with Multiple Royal Navy Ships,
Caribbean View, Circa 1865 The large detailed woolwork depicts in the center a fully dressed First Rate Royal Navy Battleship in a harbor surrounded by a sea full of ships. There is a town in the foreground with a windmill, fort, and several houses as well as a palm tree. Dimensions: 31 inches high x 39 1/2 inches wide. 11
Large British Sailor's Woolwork of the Barque Polly, Circa 1885-95 A sailor's woolwork of a port side view of a ship named "Polly" under full sail. The ship is rigged as a barque. The sails are trapunto creating a three-dimensional look of the sails full of wind. The sea is depicted is rippling bands of green and white.
The ship was built in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1885, and launched by Marian "Polly" Woodside, the wife of the owner, tossing flowers across the bow. (Champagne being too precious). The ship made several voyages primarily between South America and the UK before being repositioned in the Pacific. Dimensions: 26 1/4 inches high x 31 inches wide. 12
British Sailor's Woolwork of Two Battleships, one Fully Dressed, Circa 1870 The charming sailor's woolwork is well composed and depicts three Royal Navy Ships. In the middle ground is a First-Rate Battleship at anchor and Fully Dressed. In the background, there is a Royal Navy ship under steam which could be an East Indiaman converted fourth rate ship. In the foreground are a small paddle-wheel steamboat and two gigs. Dimensions: 19 3/8 inches high x 28 3/4 inches wide. 13
American Sailor's Woolwork of American Battleship Fully Dressed, Circa 1865 The large American sailor's woolwork depicts a starboard view of an American battleship at anchor fully dressed with flags flying from her masts. The ship fills the wool completely. The sky still retains good shades of blue. The rigging is well defined and has a strong presence in the wool.
From the top of each mast flies the flag of the Kingdom of Sardinia, The Stars and Stripes and the British white ensign. At the stern of the ship is another Stars and Stripes and a US Naval Jack is at the bow. On deck, a collapsible funnel can be seen and two lifeboats. Dimensions: 26 1/4 inches high x 31 1/2 inches wide. 14
British Sailor's Woolwork of a Port Scene With Four Ships, Circa 1875 A lovely woolie depicting a village by the waterside with a zig-zag-shaped seawall. A two-masted schooner is anchored on the water with three yachts passing by which are flying a red ensign with a white cross which could be a naval ensign of Malta.
The village is perched by the water with quite a number of stone buildings and houses, many three stories high. In the background, green fields can be seen. A signaling station is visible in the distance too. The sea is depicted in lines of shades of blue with white waves. Dimensions: 17 1/4 inches high x 21 3/4 inches wide. 15
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship M.M.S. St George, Circa 1860 A framed naive sailor's woolie with a Portside view of the H.M.S St. George, named below on a red banner, the first-rate battleship, fully dressed and anchored by a colorful lighthouse with a manned longship in background . HMS St George was a 120-gun first rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 27 August 1840 at Plymouth.
When fitted with screw propulsion in 1859 she had a deck removed so this wool is a depiction of HMS St George before that date. Dimensions: 23 inches high x 31 inches wide. 16
Large British Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Victoria, Circa 1865 The large sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts HMS Victoria, named below on a banner, with large billowing Trapunto sails. HMS Victoria was the last British wooden first-rate three-decked ship of the line commissioned for sea service. Dimensions: 27 3/8 inches high x 34 3/4 inches wide. 17
British Sailor's Woolwork Woolie of Two Fleets- Eight Ships Circa 1875 A large sailor's woolie depicting two fleets of four ships passing each other on the high sea, all under sail or steam or both. The sea with unusual coloring and movement. Several old moth damage repairs in the sea which are not particularly visible or important when you have such a rare subject. Dimensions: 23 inches high x 38 1/8 inches wide. 18
British Sailor's Woolwork with House and Bridge, Circa 1875 The most unusual woolie depicts a starboard-side view of a Royal Navy Frigate sailing offshore. In the foreground to the left is a two-story house with smoke issuing from its tall chimney with a fenced garden. A path leads across the image to the opposite side past a double-arched bridge in the center and past, on the right, a large thicket. All within a maple frame. This is an unusual composition. One sometimes finds similar images when there is a sailor's farewell or return. Dimensions: 15 1/4 inches high x 22 1/4 inches wide. 19
British Sailor's Patriotic Woolwork, British Soldier and a Royal Navy Sailor with Union Jack and White Ensign, Circa 1880 The sailor's woolwork depicts a British soldier in his red uniform to the left and a sailor in blue at attention to the right with a large shield-shaped plaque in the center with the patriotic motto, "For God, My Queen and Country with two flags crossing behind- one the Union Jack and one the White Ensign. In the background are two ships depicted with a port side view under sail on a blue green sea. Above is red trellis-work with green leaves and red berries hanging below. Museum UV Glass. Dimensions: 26 1/2 inches high x 25 3/4 inches wide. 20
Rare Sailor's Woolwork with Sea Rescue, Titled The Boats and Crew of H.M.S. Arethusa Rescuing the Crew from the Brig George Duncan 12th December 1865 Circa 1865-75. The rare sailor's woolwork depicts a real life incident. The George Duncan was abandoned in the Mediterranean Sea off Sardinia, Italy. Her crew were rescued by HMS Arethusa ( Royal Navy). George Duncan was on a voyage from Brăila, Ottoman Empire to Cork apparently on the 17th December as reported in the "Mercantile Ship News". The Standard. No. 12913. London. 27 December 1865. p. 7. Dimensions: Frame: 17 1/2 inches high x 21 1/2 inches wide 21
British Sailor's Woolwork, With Motto of The Order of The Garter, Circa 1875. The unusual sailor's woolwork depicts a soldier and a sailor standing and pointing with one hand to either side of a circular device in the form of a garter with the Union Jack within and the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" sewn on it- which is the motto of the Order of the Garter meaning shame on him who thinks evil of it. A crown above and the symbols of Scotland and England below in the form of a thistle and a rose. Dimensions: 18 1/4 high x 20 1/4 inches wide. 22
British Sailor's Woolwork or Woolie, Memorial to Lord Nelson, "England expects every man to do his duty" 1805. The unusual sailor's woolie depicts a standing sailor and Britannia weeping standing before a memorial to Lord Nelson flanked with banners of famous victories of Lord Nelson and Naval ensigns in red, white, and blue. Below is the famous quote that " England expects every man to do his duty" 1805.
Dimensions: 22 inches high x 28 inches wide. "England expects that every man will do his duty" was a signal sent by Vice-Admiral of the Royal Navy Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson from his flagship HMS Victory as the Battle of Trafalgar was about to commence on 21 October 1805. The Battle of Trafalgar began, with Nelson's fleet of 27 ships pitted against the combined Spanish and French fleet of 33. In order to secure victory, Nelson sailed his fleet towards the flank of the allied fleet in order to break it up into pieces. The naval battle resulted in 22 allied ships being lost, while the British lost none. As a result, the British were victorious, ensuring their control of the sea and removing the possibility of a French invasion of Britain. 23
Large British Sailor's Woolwork with Landscape Scene of Ruins and Deer, Circa 1865 A very large wonderful sailor's woolwork picture of a starboard view of a full-dressed ship anchored in a bay with a landscape of grazing deer in the foreground and an ancient ruin in the back. All within a faux-rosewood frame. The scene may be Scotland. Dimensions: 34 inches x 45 1/2 inches wide. 24
Sailor's Woolwork Woolie with Trapunto Sails, Circa 1875 The sailor's woolwork depicts a starboard view of a three-masted British Royal Navy Vessel flying the White Ensign with a white banner flying from the mainmast under full sail and with smoke emanating from the single funnel which is depicted in French knots resulting in a textured element. The woolwork with trapunto sails against a grey and blue sky. Glass beads serve as portholes and are sewn along the hull. Multicolored beads are applied at the prow to illustrate a figurehead. Within a maple frame. Lovely composition. Dimensions: 16 1/2 inches high x 21 1/2 inches wide. 25
Sailor's Woolwork of Racing Yachts, Possibly representing the 1887 America’s Cup Races with Volunteer & Thistle, Circa 1887 This sailor's woolie has a rare subject matter as this woolwork features a starboard view of two racing yachts under full sail, one American and one British. Each yacht flies the flag of its country and racing pennants. The American craft flying a blue pennant with a white cross, and the British ship with a red pennant with a white dot. Dimensions: 14 1/4 inches x 21 1/2 inches wide. 26
Sailor's Woolwork of a Fully Dressed Royal Navy Ship Circa 1865-75 The sailor's woolie depicts a starboard view of a fully dressed three-masted British Royal Naval Vessel flying the White Ensign at anchor with a small village beyond on land. The sails are furled and the rigging is quite detailed; a sailor can be seen onboard. In the foreground, two longboats transport sailors to the ship. The figurehead and the captain’s cabin outlined in gold embroidery floss are unusual features. The ship features two foldable funnels and a crane. A crane is a rare inclusion. Great subject composition. In the background, multiple buildings can be seen, composing a village. A farm building sits atop a plowed field; some houses are depicted with trees and gardens. A military encampment can be seen, depicted by small white tents. Dimensions: 19 1/2 inches high x 25 1/2 inches wide. 27
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy First-Rate Royal Navy Ship, Circa 1875 The sailor's woolie depicts the starboard view of a first rate three-masted British Royal Navy Vessel flying the White Ensign under sail. The ship is depicted sailing toward land where there is a fort flying British flags on the lower right, and a small spit of land to the lower left. Also depicting a small fully-dressed ship in the foreground. Within a glazed walnut frame with gilt slip. Dimensions: 18 3/4 inches high x 21 1/4 inches wide. 28
British Naive Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship, Circa 1875 The sailor's woolie depicts a portside view of a three-masted British Royal Navy Vessel under sail upon a variegated sea. There is an unusual treatment to the gun ports as all guns are showing (54 guns) with the unusual use of orange wool surrounding each porthole. The sails and great rigging are also rather folky. Dimensions: 20 3/4 inches high x 23 inches wide. 29
Sailor's Woolwork of Flag of Nations with Motto "GOOD LUCK" on Banner Below. This is quite an extraordinary woolwork. It is of a large size and depicts ten flags around the central porthole which has a view of a ship. The portside view of a two-masted ship under sail on a blue and white wavy sea. Below the porthole and flags is a ship's anchor and above a crown. Below the anchor is a rose, a thistle and a shamrock, and a banner in orange reading "Good Luck". Dimensions: 28 1/4 inches high x 28 1/4 inches wide. 30