Model of the merchantman De Witte Oliphant

anonymous

This model has a broad hull and unusually tall masts for a merchantman. These features, plus the decoration of African men on either corner of the stern, strongly suggest that this is a slave ship. Models of slave ships are exceptionally rare. It is not known how this model came to be in the Department of the Navy’s collection.

1755

Wood, brass, iron, glass, rope and paint

205.0 x 77.5cm

NG-MC-1210

Image and text courtesy of Rijksmuseum, 2019