Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Vasa Model Ship by Charles Parsons |
Object Name |
Model, Instructional |
Description |
Vasa Model Ship by Charles Parsons is a handmade wooden ship to 1:70 scale. Ship is plain wood, with some dark blue and gold accents towards the rear, and front. The ship has 4 decks. The first deck is the largest and contains two short, thick poles and a wheel that is parallel to the ships floor. It also has a front railing with a red/white/blue shield. The second and third deck are short, and almost the same height, connected by a staircase. There are two red doors with rounded tops on each deck. The third deck also has a short pole on it. The 4th deck is connected by stairs and has a single red door with round top in center, and dark blue panels/steps on the sides. The rear of the ship has a flag pole with no flag and a large blue and gold lantern. The rear decoration is a very ornate coat of arms made of gold with lions, a shield, and several human figures in rows and varying sizes. There are two cannons in the back with a gold lion in between. The sides of the rear have two levels of large domed windows. The railing on the rear of the ship has 5 red/gold mermaids on each side. There are 8 cannons on each side in the blue painted strip, with gold portholes. The body of the ship has 12 cannons on each side. There is a black anchor on each side of the front. The figurehead is a gold lion and is surrounded by dark blue and gold decorations with red/gold figures. Body of ship has horizontal strips of wood with metal nails/rivets that create a decorative look. Mounted on dark stained wood base on a dark blue painted base on a dark stained wood base. |
Date |
1992 |
Creator |
Parsons, Charles |
Role |
Artist |
Creator |
Maritime Museum, Stockholm |
Role |
Designer |
Medium |
Wood |
Catalog Number |
2000.008.004 |
Dimensions |
H-17.5 W-40.5 D-11.5 inches |
Collection |
3D - Documentary Objects |
Inscription Text |
"VASA / 1628 / MODEL BY / CHARLES H. PARSONS / 1992" (engraved on brass colored, metal plaque on base). |
Provenance |
Model constructed by Charles Parsons at his home in San Carlos, CA. |
Notes |
Vasa Swedish Royal Warship, 1628 Model by Charles Parsons, Model Plans by Maritime Museum in Stockholm 1:70 scale, Completed 1992 Sweden’s King Gustav II Adolf planned to make Sweden a major European power. To do this he had to have a navy to rival the Dutch and English. An important vessel included in the build up of his navy, the Vasa never made it out of Stockholm harbor. On her maiden voyage in 1628, a gust of wind tilted her enough to let in water through the open lower gun ports and she sank. The weight of a third gun deck ordered by the king may have contributed to her demise. The Vasa lay preserved in the cold, muddy waters of Stockholm Harbor until she was raised in 1961. The restored Vasa is on display in Stockholm as part of the National Maritime Museum. |
Search Terms |
Model Ships Model Ships Parsons, Charles H. Vasa (ship) War Ships Shipwrecks Maritime Museum, Stockholm Shipwreck |
Subjects |
Model ships Warships Shipwrecks |
People |
Parsons, Charles H. |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Charles H. Parsons |