By: Derek Hunnisett

This very fine extreme miniature waterline diorama depicts Le Superbe, a French 74-gun Ship-of-the-line at anchor with luffing sails while its large ship’s boat ties up to an extended port side boom. The vessel was launched from the Brest Shipyard in 1784, having been was designed by the marine architect, Jacques Noel Sane. She measured 100 feet in length, with a 30-foot beam, was extremely maneuverable, and had a crew of seven hundred men. She foundered in a storm in 1795. The model is beautifully made, constructed with solid wood cores entirely planked-over with holly. She is authentically painted and decorated per her design and shown with uniformed sailors onboard the ship’s boat. Model includes all appropriate detailing to her wire rigging and tissue sails, and all appropriate deck gear and fittings. Set in a plasticine sculptured sea with a custom rosewood base molding, glazed cover trimmed in brass.
Provenance: Constructed in 1974-1975, Samuel Lowe Marine Antiques, then to a private collection.

Model type: Extreme Miniature
Scale: 50’ = 1” Scale
Size: 11 7/8” x 7 3/4” x 8 3/8”
Class: A/Special
Code: EXM 2501