Marine Antiques.
The British fascination for all things marine stems from our Naval history. The British Isles have had to repel 50 separate invasions in the past, and except for air attack during WWII all of these came across the sea. Because of luck, the British Navy, our coastal defences or a fortuitous stormy sea they were successful in maintaining the portrayal of Britain as an island fortress, impregnable since 1066.
Early model ships still come to auction, but the rarest examples were made for the Admiralty from the mid 17th century on, as a precursor to an order by the Naval Board.
Apart from these beautifully made pieces, most shipware was purpose made, such as the overly broad and flat base of the ships decanter which aided stablilty whilst at sea.
From cannons to chronometers, flags to scrimshaw, and ships compass to the Captains log, military and merchant shipping regalia is of huge interest to collectors, never more so than since the movie, Titanic, came to the screens.
