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British Sailor's Large Woolwork with Ship named The City of Rome on a Rough Sea

About the Item

British Sailor's Large Woolwork with Ship named The City of Rome on a Rough Sea, Nineteenth Century. The large sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a view of the ship, SS City of Rome, with three funnels and four masts. On the bow is stitched the ships name "CITY OF ROME". She flies a number of flags: the Red Ensign on the foremast, an anchor flag on the main mast, a red banner on the mizzenmast as well as an American flag on the jigger mast. There are two smaller ships in the foreground, all on a choppy sea with multiple colors of blue and white. The wool is within a maple frame. She is considered one of the most beautiful steamships built, with her classic clipper bow and sail rigging illustrating the transitional period of sail to steam Frame: 26 1/4 inches high x 33 1/4 inches wide x 2 1/10 inches deep. Now with Museum Conservation Glass. Reference: City of Rome was a British ocean liner, built by the Barrow Ship Building Company for the Inman Line to be the largest and fastest liner on the North Atlantic route. Though not achieving the requested specifications due to design compromise, and so returned to Barrow-in-Furness after only six voyages, she is considered one of the most beautiful steamships built, with her classic clipper bow and sail rigging illustrating the transitional period of sail to steam. The Anchor Line managed her on various routes until 1900. She was scrapped in 1902. Development and design The completion of the Guion Line's Arizona in 1879 forced all major trans-Atlantic companies to consider building new high-speed passenger liners. Designed by William John, who later would design the United States Navy's first battleship, the USS Texas, City of Rome was Inman's answer. She was a much larger ship designed to cross the Atlantic at 18 knots (33 km/h). City of Rome carried 520 first class passengers in quarters of especially high quality, as well as 810 in the inexpensive steerage class. She was one of the first liners to be lighted entirely by electricity. Wikipedia (Ref: NY10499-cmrr)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)Width: 33.25 in (84.46 cm)Depth: 2.125 in (5.4 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1880s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Museum Conservation Glass.
  • Seller Location:
    Downingtown, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: NY10499-cmrr1stDibs: LU861040018292

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