Technica & Nautica

Models, Models, Models... and Model Makers! That is the theme for the fall technica & nautica auction at Stockholms Auktionsverk. With more than 150 auction items, a clear theme shines through with 60 of them being models. These include ship models, half models, bottle and painting models, waterline models, and various other types.
What is it that draws people to models? Is it the intricate details or the opportunity to own a ship, albeit on a small scale? There's something magical about these miniatures, and often, the smaller, the better. If you are looking for something tiny, the waterline models might be worth extra attention. With over 600 models of this type, there is plenty to explore. Some are as small as a fingernail or even a gramophone needle.
A heartwarming aspect is the thought of the model maker, who dedicates hours, days, weeks, or even years to this craft. We know little about most of these creators—no names, no dates—perhaps it was never meant for us to know. The joy was likely found in the craftsmanship itself and the meditative power that the process holds. A sailor, for instance, would spend the long, dark winters creating a miniature of the ship he knew inside and out. This is how many builders still work today. Spring and summer are for life at sea, while winter is for model-making. Originally, models served practical purposes, aiding in the planning and construction of ships. Waterline models, in particular, were used in naval war games to test battle strategies. British journalist Fred T. Jane (1865–1916) developed one such war game.
In this auction, we are fortunate to have a number of creators we can name. Renowned model builder and conservator Göran Forss from the Maritime Museum in Stockholm has bottle models of extraordinary quality on offer. Artist Ingvar Lyckhammar also has a few pieces represented, including a fresh model of the torpedo boat Iris and a sleek, mahogany-shining Pettersson boat. A painting model is signed by Gustav Lund, a name that is less familiar today, though the model is dated as early as 1870.
There is, of course, a good representation of other items to be expected at an auction like this, including various music boxes, life buoys, lanterns, tricky locks, and ancient keys. For those seeking a bit of guidance on what is especially worth examining, one of the highlights is the collection of bottle models, many of which are signed. There's also a charming little music box in the form of a delicate tree, made around the turn of the century, which plays two operettas by Jacques Offenbach. Another intriguing item is a piece of tent fabric with provenance from the Zeppelin Norge, which stayed briefly in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in 1926. Additionally, there’s a Swedish-made film projector from the 1940s, with provenance from Rigoletto cinema.

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