Hull of the model of a third rank ship of the... Lot 99

Hull of the model of a third rank ship of the XVIIth century of 56 guns or artillery pieces. The vessel was rigged with three masts as evidenced by the mast root holes and sheepskin capes. The vessel has two battery decks, an upper deck on which an aft poop deck is positioned. Each of the two battery decks has 11 ports per side, or 22 ports per deck. The upper deck has 5 ports on each side, i.e. 10 ports on the upper deck. Two ports for two escape cannons are drilled at the stern. Some mantelets are still present, as are some turned wooden cannons. The hull is edged in wood on ribs. The bow is decorated with a large figurehead with the features of a young woman in full foot. Herpes and guibre legs are decorated with fine carved ornamentation (medallions, friezes, foliage and dolphin head?). The stern and the side bottles are pierced by glass windows on the two upper decks. They are richly decorated with foliage and friezes. Gilded, the figure of Rhodian Apollo, god of the sun and royal symbol of Louis XIV, is present on the transom. The original paintings with a patina are those of the colours of the time, such as Naples yellow, vermilion and sea green. France circa 1680. Length 1.35 m, width at the beam 0.355 m, height excluding tax on cradle: 0.570 m. Accidents and absences. Note: Models from the 17th century are rare, this one with the effigy of King Louis XIV makes it a great collector's item. One hypothesis is that she decorated the apartments of a member of the Nobility who, as a result, could honour the King and praise the maritime power of France.