A detailed ship’s model of the Dutch 'tweedekker fregat', biplane frigate, the ‘Hohenzollern’
Late 19th/early 20th century, based on the 17th-century model
H. 106 x L. 120 x W. 52 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, the Netherlands
This finely crafted shipyard model represents a Dutch two-decker frigate, created in the late 19th/early 20th century as a half-scale replica of the famous 'Hohenzollern model'. The original shipyard model, built around 1670, was presented by King-Stadtholder William III of Orange, Stadtholder of the Netherlands and King of England, to Frederick William II of Hohenzollern, King of Prussia, in 1701. This diplomatic gift aimed to solidify an alliance against Louis XIV of France.
The original “Hohenzollern” model was displayed in various German museums from the late 19th century onward and was extensively documented by Heinrich Winter in his 1930 publication. Unfortunately, the model was lost during World War II. The German maker of this replica, which is about half the size of the original and differs slightly from Winter’s drawings, undoubtedly studied the original model before 1930, indicating that it was created in the late 19th or early 20th century.
In the 17th century, Dutch shipyards produced “werfmodellen” (shipyard models) to showcase their ship designs to potential clients. Holland, a leading maritime power of the era, was Europe’s primary arms supplier. Around 1660, Frederick William von Hohenzollern commissioned the construction of a war fleet, including the “Hohenzollern,” from Dutch shipyards.
This model is one of the finest (if not the finest) ship models on the market and an exciting testament to Dutch naval craftsmanship and its historical significance in European maritime diplomacy.
H. 106 x L. 120 x W. 52 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, the Netherlands
This finely crafted shipyard model represents a Dutch two-decker frigate, created in the late 19th/early 20th century as a half-scale replica of the famous 'Hohenzollern model'. The original shipyard model, built around 1670, was presented by King-Stadtholder William III of Orange, Stadtholder of the Netherlands and King of England, to Frederick William II of Hohenzollern, King of Prussia, in 1701. This diplomatic gift aimed to solidify an alliance against Louis XIV of France.
The original “Hohenzollern” model was displayed in various German museums from the late 19th century onward and was extensively documented by Heinrich Winter in his 1930 publication. Unfortunately, the model was lost during World War II. The German maker of this replica, which is about half the size of the original and differs slightly from Winter’s drawings, undoubtedly studied the original model before 1930, indicating that it was created in the late 19th or early 20th century.
In the 17th century, Dutch shipyards produced “werfmodellen” (shipyard models) to showcase their ship designs to potential clients. Holland, a leading maritime power of the era, was Europe’s primary arms supplier. Around 1660, Frederick William von Hohenzollern commissioned the construction of a war fleet, including the “Hohenzollern,” from Dutch shipyards.
This model is one of the finest (if not the finest) ship models on the market and an exciting testament to Dutch naval craftsmanship and its historical significance in European maritime diplomacy.
Part of the Europe collection.
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