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-457
  • Dimensionsheight 16.7 cm x width 78.6 cm x depth 7.3 cm
  • Physical characteristicswood

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Half Model of a Tow Yacht

  • Object type

  • Object number

    NG-MC-457

  • Description

    Mallenmodel (bakboord) van een platbodem passagiersvaartuig. De huid boven het barkhout is gesloten. Het dek is gesloten en heeft een lang dekhuis met tien lichten. Platte spiegel, hol wulf, hekkebord; breed roer, kiel met hieling. De zeeg loopt op naar achteren, één barkhout.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    label, bottom right: ‘457’ former inventory label

  • Part of catalogue


Creation

  • Creation

    model maker: anonymous, Netherlands

  • Dating

    1750 - 1850

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    wood

  • Dimensions

    height 16.7 cm x width 78.6 cm x depth 7.3 cm


This work is about

  • Subject

  • Period

    1780 - 1820


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) nr. 2, p. 4-10.


Persistent URL


anonymous

Half Model of a Tow Yacht

Netherlands, 1750 - 1850

Inscriptions

  • label, bottom right:457 former inventory label

Provenance

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

Object number: NG-MC-457


Entry

Wooden bracket half model of the port side of a flat-bottomed passenger craft, mounted on a rectangular wooden backboard.

The side of the vessel is depicted by ribbands attached to frame moulds, the gunwale is planked. The model has no deck but is detailed with an elongated deckhouse with ten windows. The stern has a square tuck, a hollow counter and a flat transom. A broad rudder is fitted to the sternpost. The sheer rises towards the stern. One wale is indicated. The hull is flat-bottomed.

Scale unknown.


Literature

J.M. Obreen, Catalogus der verzameling modellen van het Departement van Marine, The Hague 1858, no. 457


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/20053757

(accessed 23 mei 2026 22:39:53 UTC+0).