The restoration of the historic brig Volante formed part of a wider conservation project alongside the HMS Endeavour Ship Model Restoration, preserving two treasured wooden ship models built many years ago by the client’s late father. The Volante had suffered decades of natural ageing, structural damage and environmental contamination. The project included careful conservation of the original craftsmanship, structural repairs to the masting and spars, restoration of the rigging, deep cleaning of the model, and the manufacture of a bespoke glass display cabinet to ensure its long-term protection and preservation.
Volante is a traditional brig, a two-masted sailing vessel widely used during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for merchant trading and coastal voyages. Brig-rigged ships were valued for their speed, manoeuvrability and efficient sail plan, making them a familiar sight in ports around the world. Today, historic brig models are admired for their elegant proportions, intricate rigging and the exceptional craftsmanship required to reproduce these vessels accurately in miniature.
As historic ship models age, professional restoration and conservation become essential to preserve both their structural integrity and the skill of the original model maker. At Polaris Models, every ship model restoration is approached with respect for the original craftsmanship, ensuring that as many original components as possible are conserved while maintaining the authenticity and historical character of the model.
Meg Brown contacted Polaris Models to restore two historic ship models that had been built many years earlier by her late father. Following his passing, the models became treasured family heirlooms, holding many childhood memories and considerable sentimental value. Wanting to preserve this important part of her family’s history, Meg asked us to restore the models while conserving as much of the original craftsmanship and material as possible.
Following a detailed on-site inspection, both models were carefully documented before being transported to our workshop, where a comprehensive restoration and conservation programme was carried out.
Years of display without a protective glass cabinet had allowed dust, insects and spider webs to accumulate throughout the model, while accidental damage had affected the bowsprit, topmast, gaff and several sections of the rigging. Fortunately, much of the original standing rigging remained in good condition, allowing the majority of the historic material to be preserved.
The restoration began with a thorough conservation clean before structural repairs were carried out to the bowsprit, as this supports a significant proportion of the vessel’s standing and running rigging. Repairs then continued to the boom, gaff and topmast before attention turned to the rigging itself. Wherever possible, the original ropes were retained, with only damaged sections being replaced.
To ensure the repairs remained virtually invisible, replacement ropes were manufactured in-house using our traditional ropewalk machine. Every rope was produced to match the original diameter, lay and colour, allowing the new sections to blend seamlessly with the surviving historic rigging. Once the restoration had been completed, a bespoke glass display cabinet was designed and manufactured to protect the model from future dust, accidental damage and environmental deterioration.
Following completion of the restoration, the Volante was carefully returned to the client’s home, where it was professionally installed inside its bespoke display cabinet. The restoration successfully preserved both the model’s historical character and its deep personal significance, allowing it to be enjoyed and protected for many years to come.
Seeing the restored models immediately brought back childhood memories for Meg, who expressed how closely they resembled the ships she remembered from her father’s home. She also praised the professionalism, organisation and care shown throughout every stage of the project.
“Thank you so much for your work on my father’s ships. They remind me of how they looked when I was a child. The standard of your work, coupled with your friendly style has made it a very easy and enjoyable process. I would certainly recommend anyone seeking to have model ships restored to use Polaris Models.”
This restoration reflects Polaris Models’ commitment to combining museum-quality ship model conservation with a carefully managed client experience, preserving not only historic models but also the memories and stories they represent.