Half Model of a Tow Yacht

anonymous, 1750 - 1850

In the mid-17th century the west and north of the Netherlands developed a unique and highly efficient public transport system along the waterways. The basic ingredient was the barge. Towed by horses, these narrow, covered boats sailed on regular routes at regular times. An extensive network of tow barges across the flat, watery countryside provided a simple and cheap method of transport from one place to another. In the 19th century barges became obsolete as roads and railways were built.

  • Artwork typeship model, builder's model, half model
  • Object numberNG-MC-456
  • Dimensionsheight 13.7 cm x width 79 cm x depth 7 cm
  • Physical characteristicswood and paint

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Half Model of a Tow Yacht

  • Object type

  • Object number

    NG-MC-456

  • Description

    Gepolychromeerd blokmodel (bakboord) van een eenmast platbodem passagiersvaartuig. Het dek is gesloten en heeft een lang dekhuis met elf lichten. Platte spiegel, hol wulf, hekkebord; breed roer. De zeeg is bijna vlak, één barkhout. De mast is waarschijnlijk een jaagmast.

  • Part of catalogue


Creation

  • Creation

    model maker: anonymous, Netherlands

  • Dating

    1750 - 1850

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    wood and paint

  • Dimensions

    height 13.7 cm x width 79 cm x depth 7 cm


Explanatory note

  • Dit model is zonder nummer aangetroffen; de identificatie is gebaseerd op eliminatie en blijft daardoor onzeker.


This work is about

  • Subject


Acquisition and rights

  • Copyright

  • Provenance

    ...; transferred from the Ministerie van Marine (Department of the Navy), The Hague, to the museum, 1883


Documentation

  • Tom van der Meer, 'De waterstaat', Rijksmuseum Kunstkrant 25 (1999) 2, pp.4-10.


Persistent URL


anonymous

Half Model of a Tow Yacht

Netherlands, 1750 - 1850

Provenance

...; transferred from the Ministerie van Marine (Department of the Navy), The Hague, to the museum, 1883

Object number: NG-MC-456


Entry

Polychromed wooden half block model of the port side of a single-masted flat-bottomed passenger craft, mounted on a rectangular wooden backboard, painted black.

The deck is closed and detailed with an elongated deckhouse with eleven windows. The stern has a round tuck, a hollow counter and a flat transom. A broad rudder is fitted to the sternpost. The sheer is almost flat. One wale is indicated, painted black. The hull is flat-bottomed and painted white below the waterline. Under the keel two supports are mounted to the backboard imitating a full model on a stand. A single tow mast is indicated in a truncated form.

Scale unknown.


Literature

J.M. Obreen, Catalogus der verzameling modellen van het Departement van Marine, The Hague 1858, no. 456


Citation

J. van der Vliet, 2016, 'anonymous, Half Model of a Tow Yacht, Netherlands, 1750 - 1850', in J. van der Vliet and A. Lemmers (eds.), Navy Models in the Rijksmuseum, online coll. cat. Amsterdam: https://data.rijksmuseum.nl/20053756

(accessed 18 April 2026 07:05:19).