SHIP DECORATION —1630-1780

This book presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of decorative elements – including figureheads, topside ornamentation, and stern gallery designs – utilized by the ships of the principal maritime nations of Europe during the peak of the sailing era. It encompasses both military vessels and the most esteemed merchant ships, specifically the East Indiamen operated by the prominent chartered companies.

The project originated in 2000 when the author was tasked with conducting research for an ambitious initiative to construct a full-scale replica of a Swedish East Indiaman, resulting in a wealth of information that extended far beyond the immediate needs of accurately adorning the replica. In exploring the artistic influences on European ship decoration, it became evident that this narrative fundamentally revolves around the baroque style, its spread from France, and its gradual evolution into unique national adaptations in Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.

This subject is inherently visual, and the book enhances its discussions with a plethora of photographs depicting contemporary ship models, paintings, and plans, alongside the author’s own interpretive illustrations of specific details. As the first significant publication on this subject in nearly a century, it will undoubtedly attract the interest of ship modelers and historians alike; however, with comparative examples sourced from architecture and sculpture, it also offers a wider contribution to the history of applied arts.