SUPERB MOLUCCAS ISLANDS CLOVE BOAT, CA. 1860-1880

Description

SUPERB MOLUCCAS ISLANDS CLOVE BOAT, CA. 1860-1880
The Moluccan tradition of creating model boats and ships from clove buds began in the 1700's and continued until the beginning of the 20th century.
Known as
perau,
these model boats were often sold in conjunction with the spice trade which was active primarily during the Dutch colonial period in the Spice Islands of Indonesia.
The example offered here is exceptional both for its size, elaborate sailing masts and multitude of figures-all crafted from clove buds. The figures come equipped with paddles (pictured) that can be re-attached. The boat measures 33 inches (84 cm.) in length and 19 inches (48 cm.) in height, and dates from 1860-1880.
The boat was deaccessioned from the Fowler Museum of Los Angeles several decades ago and was subsequently acquired by a private collector in the UK. There is quite a bit of information available on the internet about these objects. I encourage collectors to compare the compare the clove boat offered here with others in museum collections as I think this particular clove boat is one of the finest examples in any collection.