Ship model of a Chinese junk (Zhenjiang / Chinkiang)
Description
Ship model of a junk used by high ranking officials when traveling, on transfer or otherwise, on the inland waterways of China. These junks were propelled by poles or towed from the bank. The long red pennant at the mast top means ‘in the name of the Emperor entrusted with the organisation of exams at the level of the Xiang (= administrative unit) in Jiangnan (= province of Anhui)’. On the transverse panel between the wings on the stern there are characters meaning ‘safe voyage and good luck’. In the middle of the swim head the character ‘luck’.
Model built of wide planks with transverse bulkheads. The bottom slightly rises fore and aft and continues in a swim head. Well-rounded sides out of a single solid plank. Double wale, forming a wing beyond the swim head. Above the wale, a heavy gangway. Moderate sheer. Heavy, double bow timber. Loose deck. High superstructure up to the gangway. High, transverse porch with arched roof. On both sides a panel with open-worked fretwork and broad, fretted upper lintel. Low cabin with square open-worked windows. In the cabin a low transverse bunk. Windows covered with red cotton cloth curtain. High stern structure with steering stand. On each side a door with panelling, the upper part of which has been opened out. Superstructure closed by panelling and three square windows. Short cuddy board. Below the cuddy board and above the swim head a flat transom. Flat stern along the whole breadth of the hull. Balanced rudder with rounded back. Sheer mast standing on roof above porch. Two heavy boat hooks with wrought iron hook and gasket. Three-legged round iron trestle and lantern in wire netting, clad in paper strips. Pennant of red cotton cloth with white rim, dented, plastered with cut-out, multi-coloured (red-green-yellow-black) dragon figure. Red flag with six Chinese characters (black). On the lower bow timber, a wrought iron ornament with red-and-white pieces of cloth. On the swim head, in relief, red Chinese characters. The bow behind the swim head is decorated on either side with relieved fretwork. Porch sideways and on top decorated with open-worked and relieved fretwork, respectively. On the porch the front of the cabin is decorated with open-worked fretwork on both sides, the side walls of the cabin with angular open-worked relieved fretwork. Lower part of stern is of round and angular shape. Four Chinese characters in red and black on the upper edge.
