This outstanding pair of carved figures depicting American sailors are typical of maritime themed decor aboard elegant transatlantic steamships of the period. No doubt this pair were the focal point aboard one of these ships in a luxury salon or public room. Carved of pine, they are stained in a medium dark tone with the nice patina of aged wood.

The 1870’s heralded a new age of elegance in ocean travel with the first ocean liners. Technological innovations like the screw propeller, the compound engine, and the triple-expansion engine made steamships more profitable for cargo and passengers. The White Star Line led the way in 1870 with the launch of the steam-sail ship R.M.S. Oceanic known for its first-class cabins amidships, large portholes, electricity and running water. Other lines would follow suit, and passengers increasingly expected fine amenities and refined decor, tasking skilled artisans to outfit their ships with unique pieces like these figures.

One sailor raises his hand in salute, his gaze intent and serious. The other smiles- relaxed in a more easy posture, smoking. Both sport mutton chops under their felt caps. The smoking sailor’s cap has trailing ribbons but neither bears a tally, a ribbon painted or embroidered with their ship’s name. These men wear the everyday uniform of the sailor at his post, and the tally was generally worn only on formal dress uniforms.

The carver’s excellent workmanship shows in the flowing lines of each figure’s clothing. Typical of the enlisted sailor, the men wear a full cut shirt topped with wide lapels under which sits a knotted kerchief, all common to sailors of the period. A sash at the waist leads to a stylized fan of oak leaves at the base of each figure. On the sides, each bears deeply carved swirl motifs, commonly seen in figureheads and billetheads to add movement and reference the sea itself.

A rare example of the decorative maritime arts, these figures recall an era of elegance in travel aboard ship.

The painting shown at between the figures in the first image is "Romantic Observations" by Henry Bacon. You can see more photos of this work here