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Liberty Ship Hatch Cover Table Liberty Ship Hatch Cover Table Authentic re-purposed nautical end table made from a half section of a WWII era Liberty Ship hatch cover. Made of thick pine boards with heavy metal band on one end and half cup cut-out with metal band (used to hook cable to lift cover from hatch). Custom pine pedestal base stained to match top. Table marked on bottom "Snyder of Carolina". Top measures 27 X 27 inches and stands 23 inches tall. These make attractive nautical end tables for sofas and beds. We currently have two of these matching tables in stock. For more information, go to:  Authentic Liberty Ship Hatch CoverTable Stingray Point Lighthouse "Stingray Point Lighthouse and Marina" by Virginia artist Bill Allen. Watercolor on paper measuring 20 1/2 X 26 1/2 inches (view) and 29 X 35 inches framed. Painting of the String Ray Point Lighthouse that was dismantled in 1965 (see history below) together with the sign of the famous Sting Ray Point Mar...

Reclaimed and re-purposed nautical lighting, perfect for all types of uses for today's coastal home.  If there is one statement that we make that stands uncontested it is that there is no finer light fixture on the market that can rival the quality of these authentic brass caged passageway lights. These fixtures were designed to withstand the harsh conditions aboard oceangoing and other maritime vessels and have proven over the course of time to be the best. Passageway/engine room light fixture produced by F.H. Lovell and Co. of Arlington New Jersey. These vintage brass caged passageway or engine room lights  were produced by the F.H. Lovell & Co. of Arlington, N.J. and recently removed from the cargo ship SS EXPORT BAY (see history below). Each light is stamped F.H. Lovell & Co. Arlington N.J. on the brass cage ring. These authentic brass fixtures feature standard bezel type clear glass globes and heavy brass wire...

Gutzon Borglum (1871-1941) “Remember the Maine”  I received an interesting phone call today at our gallery Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery from an unknown source notifying me of a major historical commemorative tondo marquetry carving coming up for auction next week in Madrid, Spain. The caller was pretty adamant about having the piece purchased and brought back to the United States where it belongs instead of potentially having it purchased and remaining in Spain. That's the reason for writing this blog, so for all of you Spanish American collectors and museums take notice. The auction house Alcala Subastas lists this item in their February 16 & 17, 2011 auction catalog, lot # 206 with the description: Gutzon Borglum (1871-1941) “Remember the Maine” Tondo commemorating the victims of the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. Tropical wood marquetry depicting the American eagle on the obverse and the reverse geometric marquetry wo...

  "Sailing the Bay" by Sandy Nelson. oil on panel, 12x16 "Sailing the Bay" by Sandy Nelson. oil on panel, 12x16   "A beautiful summer day on the Chesapeake Bay is the perfect backdrop for a painting. I never cease to be amazed, and a little bit jealous, at the number of boats out enjoying the freedom of sailing. Often I try to feel the wind in the sails and the joy of feeling the open water when I'm painting."  Featuring Impressionist Marine Art by North Carolina artist Sandy Nelson Sandy Nelson's influences in her art are as diverse as the great Spanish, Russian and French impressionists to a childhood amid the dark hills of eastern Kentucky. In the latter she found a sincere appreciation for the beauty of the world around her, in the former, inspiration to express it. Sandy's work is not edgy nor avant-garde; it doesn’t follow fads or trends – it is simply truth, as she perceive it. That is what she hopes the viewer takes away with them. The ...

Spanish American War commemorative frosted glass window depicting the USS MAINE A while ago an associate of ours brought in to Skipjack this antique architectural window that they had bought for a room of a previous residence that they owned. The etched artwork of this famous U.S. Navy battleship is impressive and the window frame is a wonderful architectural piece from the turn of the last century. Though unquestionably a period window made around the time of the  Spanish American War, there's no provenance included concerning the maker or it's original use. So here's a question for you American naval history buffs. What is the history of this etched glass window depicting the USS MAINE? Was it possibly a window panel from the ship itself? This is what we recently discovered about this rare Spanish American War item. I was recently watching a re-run of the PBS program "The History Detectives," an episode that I had not seen before that certainly piqued my curio...

Schooner Virginia ship's bell with lanyard. Photo by Diane Murphy. The bellrope, also refered to as a bell pull or bell lanyard is a piece of fancy work attached to the clanger of a ship's bell. It is a necessary accoutrement to the ship's bell, both for function as a way to ring the bell as well as ornamentation as a symbol of pride. According to Vince Brennan of Frayed Knot Artworks , the ship’s bell is considered the 'heart' of a ship. Ship's bells are almost mystical objects, especially for as superstitious a lot as are sailors. They are polished before all other items and are the last thing to be removed when a ship is decommissioned or scrapped. US Navy vessels have their names engraved on their bells and when a ship is struck from the list, the last Commanding Officer usually receives the bell for safekeeping. Bell lanyard made by Vince Brennan for the Zuni Maritime Foundation. Photo by Joe Elder For information about 12 inch ship's bell bellrope or l...

"Winona Morning" watercolor on paper by J. Robert Burnell Final Week of the J. Robert Burnell Marine Art Exhibit.  Show ends Saturday, January 22, 2011. Portsmouth marine artist J. Robert Burnell grew up around the water in a family of watermen, and sailing his own boat since he was ten years old. He has sailed on nearly every type of workboat on the Chesapeake Bay. It's no wonder that Burnell's love of the water reflects so naturally in his nautical themed paintings. You won't have to go far to see one of the largest collections of Burnell's marine art all in one exhibit. Over 20 new acrylic and watercolor paintings by J. Robert Burnell will be on display and for sale in the 'foyer gallery' at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery at One High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth. You will also be able to preview some of  his nautical artwork on our web gallery at Skipjack's Marine Art Gallery throughout the event. Just click on the...