Model, of French 80-gun warship

This model of a French 80-gun warship was made by French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815). It is made of wood and is built to a scale of 1:300.

The model is delicately constructed and elaborately decorated. Although the name 'Le Lyon' appears on the stern, it may have been invented by the prisoners and is not necessarily be an accurate guide to the original vessel.

During the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815), many French prisoners were taken to British gaols or prison ships. Some were allowed to settle into local communities and those who were skilled in crafts began to make ship models which could be sold. The models were often built using dried, bleached meat bones. Wood, ivory, straw and human hair were also used. The prisoners had to rely upon memory which makes the scale of some of the models rather doubtful.

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