Friday 23 November 2012

This is the barge of Frederick (1707-51), the son of GeorgeII. It was completed in 1732 and  was last used by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria in 1849.


The detail on it is beautiful especially the guilding  - covering the wood with gold leaf or powder so that it has a thin layer of gold over it.
















When you look at it closely you can see the fine carving.
















Imagine the sight of this travelling down the Thames in the 1700s.










During the Queen's Jubilee  river pageant earlier this year  she too travelled along the Thames in a barge called The Gloriana.


Not quite as ornate as Frederick's barge but perhaps more in keeping with the times!


9 comments:

  1. A very classy barge with the most intricate carvings .... what a pity it's not used now because it would look very regal on the Thames.

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  2. It is so stunning to see the detail and colors of that barge..

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  3. They are both lovely barges. They would look great on the river together. It would be fun to have a ride in one.

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  4. They're almost like gondola - or is that just my imagination??!! I wonder would the Thames water tarnish the gilding these days??

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  5. It looks pretty ornate to me! Did you figure out how to fix the picture issue? I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! :-)

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  6. Beautiful! The details are amazing!

    Where is it? Some maritime museum?

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  7. Lovely boats! You captured some great details. Visiting from Orange you Glad its Friday.

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  8. Beautiful bardges, where is the Frederick's barge exposed ?

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