Devonshire magazine November December 2018

Tulips & Windmills
NETHERLANDS
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
Amsterdam
A veritable gem for those interested
in maritime history is the National
Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum
in Dutch). Housed in what
was once a naval storehouse named
's Lands Zeemagazijn built in 1656.
The range of exhibits is impressive,
from a fully restored sailing vessel,
through to a cartography department,
where you could literaly spend a
couple of days milling around admiring
the artistry. Also they have a
beautiful collection of model sailing
ships, complete with sales and rigging
which have been built at quite a large
scale, some standing height.
Of particular merit is their ship figureheads
section, I've can honesty say
I've never seen anything like it. The
detail lavished on these is a real eye
opener, with all manner of modelled
characters. A very common theme
seems to be ladies with full bosoms
on display. If you peer over to the
top right it's evident what I'm saying
here. Riebald humour would have
been the mainstay of mariners who
would be at sea in harsh conditions
for months, even years at a time,
without the presence of women. The
Het Scheepvaartmuseum is a most
engaging place for those who love
their history.
An early compass made
by Ioannes van Keulen in
Amsterdam.
Maps were elevated to being
works of art, the lavish detail
and artistry is staggering.
The beautiful model ship
department of the museum.
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