Evocative, hand-made nautical diorama depicting an H.M. brig drying sails and careening off Otaheite (the early European name for Tahiti). The scene is housed in a painted sloping shadow box with naïve back-drop, surf textured “sea,” ship’s boat with crew and local craft alongside. A handwritten title label sits to the front edge. Charming mid-20th-century folk art with tons of atmosphere—perfect for a maritime wall or shelf.

Construction & details: mixed media ship model (wood, wire, fabric, paint) set into a timber box with angled sides and painted interior. Rigging and sails are original; the box is finished black to the exterior. Acrylics front.

Condition: good decorative order with expected age and workshop wear. Scuffs and knocks to the outer casing, touch-ups to paint, some small losses to rigging and sail edges, and general handling marks—all honest and consistent with a hand-built display piece. Some scratched to the acrylic front. Ready to hang; a later rear hanging cord is fitted.

Dimensions: approximately 22cm deep x 39cm high x 55cm wide.

Dating: c. 1940s–60s folk art.