Model, of sea-going junk

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This wooden model is of a three-masted Chinese sea-going junk. Junks carry trade and can either be sea-going or used on rivers. Their ancient design is still popular today as they are strong, efficient sailing vessels.

The model is carvel-built i.e. the planks of the hull are fastened edge to edge. The painted hull has a flat bottom and a sharply curved bow and stern. The model is fully decked with hatches and a deckhouse at the after end. The distinctive mat sails, fixed to top and bottom booms and stiffened by battens, may have developed from the square sail. A painted dragon decorates the stern-piece and there is an 'eye' on either side of the bows. The junk is also equipped with a rudder and an anchor.

The largest junks regularly traded in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. In 1837, a junk sailed from Canton to New York and later continued on to London. Today, they still carry on much of the commerce between Chinese ports.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-002-036-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1931.L.11
• Date: Model: around 1931; Original: Before 1931
  
• Material: Wood
  Ship / junk / model / stand
  
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• What: Ship / junk / model / stand
  
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• Description: Model of a Chinese three-masted junk, on a three-part stand
  
• References:
  • Idiens, Dale. Ethnographic Boat Models in the Royal Scottish Museum. Edinburgh: A catalogue of traditional watercraft from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. Edinburgh: Royal Scottish Museum Information Series, 1984, p 7. 
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