English lion figureheads

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Lions was the most common figureheads on english ships of the line in the 17th. and also in the 18th. Century, for the first thirty Years.
Past 1677 by Admirality Order, all ships must have a lion figurehead and only ships of the first rate was allowed to show a different one.
For all the want to build a model of an english ship of this time, I´m thinking it make sense to see some examples, because the apearance
of the lions had change in time.
I will show you original drawings, plans, figureheads of contemporary models and my model YORK. Like the leafgilding of the contemporary
models, my YORK was also leafgilded.

Willi (schifferlbauer)


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Thank you very much Jim.
I know there are not many model builders what can use my information, about the lions, but may be some one it can help.
The changing of the lion head and the first evidence of a tail by the lion figurehead could be valuable.

Best regards
Willi (schifferlbauer)
 
Very good and detailed information about the lions - interesting to see how "the" often used lion has changed over the time.
The taste and other influences has changed the lion during the different periods of the barock
-> interesting detail which could / should be followed by everybody building a british Ship of the line of this period
 
Willy, magnificent works of art.
Do you age your models? Your york is looking like an original dockyard model standing the age of time, really magnificent.
It is very hard to give the right touch to it to create it this way and it would be interesting if you could show us how you do this.
 
Hi Maarten

I age not all my models, only by restauration of original models, or one as my York. The main reason by the York model was that no model
exist of this ship and it should show the changing in style of the sterns by HMS Ships past 1677, as the great Stuart Coat of Arms was removed
and a second window gallery on the stern by 4. and 3. rate ships was ordered by the Admirality. If I want to show a model of this time it must
look like as such one. To do this several methods I must use. At first the very shine leafgilded decoration must be paiting with grey brown oil
coulors and with a soft cloth I removed it. To age coulors you must dust it. The best way is to put ashes of Cigarettson on the wet coulor and
remove it with a brush before the coulor dry. All is not easy and you must have a good feeling and a good eye.

Best regards
Willi (schifferlbauer)York 1.jpgYork 2.jpgYork 3.jpgYork 4.jpg
 
Hi Janos
All decoration is leafgilded only the Knightheads are not gilded to show the carving, because the leafgilding cover some fine details of carving

regards
Willi (schifferlbauer)

Hi Willi
I also experimented with gold leaf but gave it up because of two things: it is very hard to apply into crevices and mainly because of the high grade reflexion lots of carved details disappear.
Janos
 
maybe of some interest:

searching for something else, I was looking trough my copy of "Old Ship Figureheads & Sterns" by L.G. Carr Laughton and found this sketch of a Lion

Title of the plate is "Lions as they are in 1720" - (A contemporary carver´s draught, lent by Lt.-Col. Harold Wyllie)

IMG_37381.jpg

IMG_37391.jpg IMG_37451.jpg

Really interesting to see, how the Lion changed during the time ...
 
Hi Uwe
I don´t have this book, therefore thank you very much for showing this contemporary drawing.

Best regards
Willi (schifferlbauer)
Based on the discussion in another topic, I remembered that I have this book in the shelve
I have a limited re-edition from 1991 which has the same format like the original which was published first time in 1925.
It is showing also a huge number of photos of contemporary models, which were at this time available.
If it of some interest, I can make a book review here in SOS, and I can borrow you the book, at our next Vienna meeting......

 
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