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A working model of a motor lifeboat by Bassett-Lowke

Offered by: Wick Antiques LTD

Description
A working model of a motor lifeboat by Bassett-Lowke. Boxwood decks, a folding mast, a yellow funnel and a nickel-plated steering wheel. The centre has a removable mid-section which opens to reveal the original electric motor. The lifeboat is set on a mahogany cradle and fits snugly into its original carrying case with the initials D. M. L. in black on the side. A plate in the bow states ‘Bassett-Lowke Ltd. Model Makers, Manchester-London-Edinburgh’. British, circa 1938.

Provenance: From the estate of Mr D.M. Lumsden and thence by direct descent.

Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke (1877-1953) was born in Northampton and is noted for having founded the firm of Bassett-Lowke which specialised in producing construction sets, model railways, boats and ships. He was a friend and patron of the architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, stained glass maker E. W. Twining and German architect-designer Peter Behrens. He served as the executive of the Fabian Society from 1922 until 1924, where he was so impressed by George Bernard Shaw that he had him immortalized as a railway platform accessory. The original cost of this model in the 1983 catalogue was £7 7s.

Height: 18 inches (46cm) Length: 24 inches (61cm) Case height: 9 inches (23cm) Length: 26½ inches (67.5cm) Depth: 7 inches (18cm)

More Information

Origin:	England
Period:	1920-1949
Materials:	Boxwood, Mahogany
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	Circa 1938
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	737010

Dimensions

W.	24 in;	H.	18 in;
W.	60.96 cm;	H.	45.72 cm;

Message from Seller:

Wick Antiques was established by Charles Wallrock in the early 1980s. Having grown up in the Antiques world Charles developed an extensive wealth of knowledge. Starting out as a ‘man with a van’ he quickly gained a good reputation and embarked on a longstanding relationship with Harrods. He was later joined by his wife, Caroline Wallrock. Caroline having completed a Persian degree, went on to study at Christie’s fine art and then joined Sotheby’s specializing in Islamic and Japanese works of art