Belem Miniature Ships Model
and Ornament
$8.50
We are pleased to offer this charming handmade miniature wooden model ornament of the famous three-masted barque
"The Belem."
This elegant three masted barque was built in western France by the Dubigeon Yard in Nantes and launched in 1896.
Barque means that a vessel has a minimum of three masts, all of them fully square rigged except for the mast
closest to the stern, which is fore-and-aft rigged.
The Belem was a part of the sugar trade route to the Caribbean and the cocoa trade route to South America.
The Duke of Westminister bought the ship in 1914 and converted her into a luxurious yacht powered by an auxiliary engine.
However in 1922 A.E. Guinness purchased her and renamed it the Phantom II.
The Phantom II sailed around the world, passing through the Panama and Suez canals,
to the Arctic, France, and Montreal.
The Italians saved the Belem from dismantling in 1951, and the ship was once again renamed, to become
the "Giorgio Cini", a training ship in Venice.
Prior to falling into oblivion on the island of San Giorgio, she sailed in the Adriatic.
In 1972 The Belem was presented to the Carabinieri who began to convert her back to her original barque rig, however,
restoration proved to be too costly and ownership was passed onto the shipyard.
Later in 1972 she was returned to French ownership and renamed Belem.
After arriving in Brest in 1980 she was moored in Paris.
This hand carved wooden model of the Belem features exquisite details such as its starched cloth sails, masts, and rigging.
The Belem model ornament is detailed, yet it remains lightweight for use as a holiday ornament adorning a Christmas Tree.
The Belem Ships Model and Ornament is 3 7/8 inches (9.8 cm) long, 3 1/4 inches (8.2 cm) tall, and weighs only .59 ounce (17 grams).
The Belem Miniature Ships Model and Ornament sells for $8.50.
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