Have you ever wondered how the ships get in there? First we like to point out that all of our ships are made by hand and enter through the neck. However there are two different ways to accomplish this work.
Some of the bottles are constructed in the traditional pulling methode. The masts are attached to the hull by hinges that allow them to fold backwards onto the deck. In this folded position the ship is gently pushed through the bottle neck into the bottle by means of extended drawstrings. The masts are then erected again and the rigging and sails, flags, and sheets etc. can still be adjusted with long hooks and pliers. Finally the drawstrings are glued to the ship beneath the jib-boom (bowsprit) and the remainder is later cut off with long scissors or, in a more traditional way, singed off with a long red-hot hook.
Other ships are constructed in the so-called "perfect hair system." (PHS) All the " strings" of the rig are made of real animal hair. The model is first built and completely finished outside the bottle. Then, each mast, including sails etc., is removed again. After that the hull is inserted into the bottle. Then each mast is individually added and all is glued into place. This technique makes it possible to reproduce fine details because pressure on the rig is minimal and more delicate materials can be used. Also the hull and superstructure can be larger since they take up the entire diameter of the bottle neck. Building models in this technique is rather time consuming and requires great skill. This explains for the difference in price as compared to models of traditional design.
The great variety of techniques and styles make it difficult to define the perfect ship in a bottle. A good model should be, as a whole, harmonious. Correct scale and historical detail are desirable. Sometimes they may be altered to improve proportions and aesthetics of the whole.
The oldest existing Ships-in-the-Bottle were made around 1760. These are intricate professional pieces. Apparently, they were made from commercial workshops specializing in the construction of ship models to serve as gifts for kings, admirals, and other important people.
Dating back to 1850, Ships-in-the-Bottle were constructed by sailors on board the tall ships. At this time beverage bottles were made from clear glass and became available to the public. After a sailor had finished his favorite drink, possibly on a wide, calm sea, the empty bottle in front of him served as inspiration. Since the tools and materials available on board were limited, the first examples of maritime craft are of a rather crude and simple design. These old models, however, exude a special and unique charm in spite, or just because, of their simplicity.
Often the sailors chose to copy their own ship and, if in a harbor, also the scene around them was placed in the background. In this way, these models became sources of contemporary history. Nowadays, most of the Ships-in-the-Boottle are put together on land. There are clubs and fairs where ideas and new construction techniques are shared. Do not hesitate to ask us for addresses!
After the model is glued to its glass putty "ocean" and everything is completely dry, the bottle is corked up and sealed. Now it can be packed and safely transported. The delicate materials are sensitive to extended direct sunlight and any extreme heat. Otherwise, the ships are not likely to get damaged inside their bottle. If a ship should fail to "sail properly on its ocean", it will be replaced.