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A shipyard model of the liner Nippon Moru, dated 1898

Offered by: Wick Antiques LTD

Description
A shipyard model of the liner Nippon Moru, dated 1898. This shipbuilder’s model has a pink hull, black topsides and two black funnels. It is executed in meticulous detail with two cabin areas with white roofs, six lifeboats on davits, brass railings, a bowsprit and the name Nippon Moru in gilt on the bow. The whole is raised on four turned brass supports and set in a mahogany and glass case, on a later separate mahogany stand. English, 1898.

Footnote: There were three ships with the Maru suffix, Nippon, America and Hong Kong, all were completed in 1898. Asano Sōichirō (1848-1930), was a Japanese businessman responsible for founding a number of companies, including what became today’s Sapporo Breweries, Toa Construction Corporation, Oki Electric Industry and Taiheiyo Cement (formerly Asano Cement). He decided he wanted a shipping company too. Up until this time, Japanese shipping companies concentrated on local traffic with China. However, he intended to compete for trade to North America, India and Europe. He founded Tōyō Kisen in July 1896 and ordered three vessels which had to have the clean, sharp lines of clipper ships, from the Wigham Richardson shipyards, Newcastle upon Tyne.

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Message from Seller:

Wick Antiques, established by Charles Wallrock in the early 1980s, specializes in fine antiques with a reputation built on extensive knowledge and long-standing relationships, including with Harrods. Contact Charles at 44.159.067.7558 or via email at charles@wickantiques.co.uk for exceptional pieces curated by a team with expertise in Islamic, Japanese, and fine works of art.