Large Diorama of the Sailing Ship Sunbeam c.1900

A superb large folk art diorama of the three masted sailing ship Sunbeam c.1900. Shown under a full spread of sail and flying the red ensign of British civilian or merchant vessels. Lots of charming detail - note the figurehead and anchor, the lifeboat on its davits, the rigging and pennants, even reefing lines drawn on the sails. With a delightful little lighthouse in the left hand corner, on a modelled sea and with painted background featuring a paddle steamer on the horizon. Presented behind glass in a mahogany frame with gilded slip. Excellent condition.
The Sunbeam (RYS) was a famous private three-masted topsail-yard schooner owned by Lord Thomas Brassey and launched in 1874. Together with his wife Annie, Brassey made several notable voyages including the first private yacht circumnavigation of the globe. Annie wrote several popular books about their voyages which were published between 1879 and 1889.