Model of the Slave Ship De Witte Oliphant, anonymous, 1755

Model of the Slave Ship De Witte Oliphant, anonymous, 1755

wood, brass, iron, glass, rope and paint, h 205cm × l 225cm × w 77.5cm Catalogue entry

For a merchantman, this model has a broad hull and unusually tall masts. These features, as well as the decoration of African men on either corner of the stern, strongly suggest that it was used to transport enslaved people. Models of such slave ships are exceptionally rare. It is not known how this one came to be in the Department of the Navy’s collection.

On display in room 0.13 Visit via the Colonial Past tour

Color code: #C5C4C0 Color code: #352F27 Color code: #12100F Color code: #685B49 Color code: #A0947A Color code: #E5E6E6
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