Miniature Ship Models -The Stewart Collection

                            BEETLE WHALEBOAT Miniature, scale model by Rex Stewart

The miniature ship model, in recent times, has garnered the titleship of being a fine art collectible amid the auctioneer's hammer, and to the curious who look upon these tiny gems with awe and anticipation of ownership.

It's evident that these ship miniatures have been bought, sold, and appraised for thousands of dollars -attesting to the fact these are, indeed, highly desirable art pieces. Ship models have long been regarded in the maritime as a craftsmans' art and not taken seriously as a fine art medium. The truth of the matter ingrains itself, by fact, that this genre of maritime is art, very fine art, and has been for centuries.

         
        BEETLE WHALEBOAT - Closeup detail, in miniature at 1:48 Scale. All accessories,
       about and around the model are meticuluosly handcarved in wood.


I have always believed that modelmaking was, and is, a skill of patience -coupled with the ability to produce something out of nothing with, of course, the support of this vision through the channels of others. As with any challenge, there were shortcomings. However, unyielding faith in this genre has, indeed, brought my class of miniature ship model to another level which exceeds customary traditions.

Viewing a miniature from this perspective makes it the brain child for personal originality. Such are the pieces produced in this body of work titled "The Stewart Collection". In its proper element, like a painting, it should not be so meticuluosly clean to warrant blueprint copy, but rather a free-flowing artistic balance that sets the work apart from the 'flock'. To this end I have, on purpose, set my works apart from technical applications by antiquing or weathering the hulls of this "Collection"  with hand-mixed, custom prepared oil-based stains.
This method of detailing is my signature for "The Stewart Collection" as I have found, as my collectors and followers have found, an intrinsic beauty delivered in these small works. Furthermore, these miniatures lends itself to be carefully studied and deemed by museum standards, one of a kind. 

                Antique approach. Custom stained hull of the miniature Dutch VOC ship
              BATAVIA of 1628.

To achieve originality and realism, I've taken a different path opposite my contemporaries relative to the rigging of these models. Many model artistans use copper wire for their applications. I find that using linen and antique threads are more suitable and true to the building process where these fibers run through miniature wood blocks and belay at their appropriate pins on the deck. All models in this exclusive "Collection" are rigged in this manner (with minute detail) to copy the actual ship. Some works are more complicated in detail and are priced according to the extent of work involved.

            Detail close-up rigging of Dutch VOC ship BATAVIA in miniature. Linen thread
           through wooden millimeter blocks.

         
                              


Painstaking research and careful planning is applied to each model in the "Collection"
series. The hull is made of solid yellow pine and the topside plankings are handscribed and gently scored. Pre-mixed stains and varnishes finish the hull  and the colors are chosen to carefully balance the miniature and its display case so that the integration becomes one artform. All deck furniture is made of either yellow pine and/or basswood. The decks are scaled, scored by hand, and finished with pencil to simulate chaulking effect. Trunnels are carefully spaced, pinned, and stained/varnished to give the impression of miniature fastenings -one of the primary signatures of the artist.

                                       BATAVIA Miniature in its classic base setting.

The history of miniatures is virtually unknown, but it is said that these early works were discovered at Egyptian tombs with excavation teams during the 19th century. Since that time these pieces have caught the attention of world leaders, curators, and collectors who have looked upon this artform with much anticipation and appreciation for its beauty and quality.

In contemporary times, British artist Donald McNarry set the standard for these gems with his first exhibition in 1935. Worldwide collectors, both private and corporate, have searched the maritime for McNarry's miniatures since his retirement in 1983. At Christie's Auction House in NYC, New York , one of his works sold for $41,000 to a private corporation in 2004 -evidence that the miniature continues to be well respected and a highly sought after medium.

       HMS PRINCE ship model miniature displayed as a livingroom tabletop arrangement


I personally encourage both the novice and serious collector to take a closer look at the ship models that are being offered today. Evaluate the content and ask candid questions about materials and applications. Ignore "Certificates of Authenticity" as these can be deceiving. Research the history of the artist/builder and inquire about the techniques. And if everything balances, by all means, move ahead with the investment.

Miniature ship models is an artform produced by artists and have a certain style to them, unlike the larger scaled pieces one may regularly view in galleries, select shows, etc. The tiny works have a signature that coin the artist and his application...and this is what makes the work seperate from the conventional.

My work, "The Stewart Collection" has only been on the circuit for ten years, but is very successful by way of authenticity and craftsmanship. No two works are alike, and these in their own right are rare collectibles and produced by America's only man of color that specialize in various genres of the maritime, including the miniature.

         Close-up view of the miniature British galleon HMS REVENGE as she appeared
         in the Armada War of 1588. Model by maritime artist Rex Stewart.

I am delighted to introduce this line of work to the collector and look forward to many years of productivity in this field. Should there exist any questions about these pieces, and those which will be featured in the near future, please contact the artist at Caseships@yahoo.com or rexstewartoriginals@gmail.com. By mail: Rex Stewart, P.O. Box 1242, Albany, New York 12201 or call 1-774-757-7137. Website at https:// www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart.

Thank you for viewing.