Little Navigator

DateCirca 1810

Mediumchestnut, white pine

Dimensions25 3/4 in. (65.4 cm)

Donor credit lineGift of William C. Taber

Object number00.39.1

Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum

DescriptionA full figure wooden navigator holding black quadrant, sight at right eye, right hand on index arm, frame in left hand. The Little Navigator is wearing a black short jacket with yellow buttons; a red waistcoat with yellow buttons; a white shirt collar with a ruffle; a black band under the collar; a black stovepipe hat; grey pants; and black boots. He has black square-cut banks, long sideburns, arching eyebrows, thin lips, and a small pointed nose. He is standing on a square black box.

In 1878 the New Bedford Mercury printed the following: "An ancient mariner, indeed, is the little wooden sailor who for fifty years has stood upon his lookout above the door of James Fales, Jr.'s watch maker shop at 91 North Water Street, continually taking the sun with the quadrant which he holds in position. For nearly a score of years before coming to this city he was located in front of James Fales' shop in Newport, RI, where he was created by a cunning artificer in wood named King." The body of the man appears to have been carved from white pine and the octant that he is holding appears to be chestnut.ProvenanceGift of William C. Taber

On View

On view