Half Model of a Paddle Steamer

Entry

Polychromed wooden ‘bread-and-butter’ style half block model of the starboard side of a four-masted paddle steamer, mounted on a rectangular creamy white, wooden backboard.

The black-painted side is closed and features a closed paddle box. The paddle box is supported by four brass trusses. The deck is closed and features two black funnels. The model has a clipper bow decorated with a gold-painted scroll. The stern is elliptical with gold-painted foliage and it bears the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Below the stern a round-headed rudder with a rounded blade is indicated. The sheer rises forward. The hull is round with a flat bottom and painted a metallic copper colour below the waterline. The position of four masts and the bowsprit is shown in a truncated form.

This model was transferred to the Department of the Navy in 1863. The 6-gun paddle steamer Valk, 60 metres long, was built in Amsterdam from 1863 to 1864. Prince Hendrik took it to the Mediterranean on a diplomatic mission to Constantinople in 1869 and it was also taken to grace the opening of the Suez Canal. The ship was mainly used by the Dutch royal family, although it officially belonged to the Navy. In 1883, when it was converted to a royal yacht, the rigging was reduced to two masts. _Valk _ was decommissioned in 1898 and broken up a year later.¹

Scale (according to Obreen)² 1:50.