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This beautifully detailed, hand-crafted folk art ship-in-a-bottle depicts the famous Passat, a legendary German four-masted steel-hulled barque originally launched in 1911.
The real-world Passat was one of the celebrated "Flying P-Liners" operated by the F. Laeisz shipping company and famously participated in the Great Grain Races around Cape Horn. Today, she survives as a landmark stationary museum ship in Travemünde, Germany.
This specific miniature model is skillfully built inside an upcycled clear glass bottle uniquely embossed with "FRUIT NECTAR" and "SUMMER FRUIT INC.". The base of the bottle features raised glass markings, including a stylized central "BB" logo flanked by the mold code numbers 9 and 91. The bottle neck is classically sealed with a genuine cork, wrapped sailor's rope rigging, and a stamped red wax seal bearing a crown/crest emblem. The entire piece rests beautifully upon a custom, dark-stained wooden display base complete with a polished brass nameplate reading "Passat~1911".
Type: Hand-Rigged Ship-in-a-Bottle Diorama Folk Art
Bottle Style: Upcycled Embossed Fruit Nectar Bottle
Bottle Maker's Mark: Central "BB" monogram with mold numbers 9, 161, and 91 on base
Closure Elements: Seated cork, jute rigging rope neck wrap, stamped red wax seal
Stand Material: Dark-stained wood with a polished brass script nameplate
Dimensions: 7 inches (Length) x 4 inches (Height) x 3 inches (Width)
Weight: 11 ounces
Detailed Condition Report -
Glass Bottle: Very good vintage condition. The glass is clear and completely free of interior cloudiness, heavy haze, cracks, or notable structural scratches. The raised text embossing on the sides remains crisp and highly legible. Please see all photos.
Internal Model & Scene: The four masts, paper sails, rigging lines, and miniature flags (including the German flag at the stern) are fully intact, taut, and upright. The hand-painted blue putty ocean waves show nice texturing appropriate for this style of folk art and remain structurally stable inside the vessel.
Cork & Wax Seal: The cork is securely seated. The decorative jute rope wrap is fully intact without fraying. The red wax seal shows rich color with a clear stamped crest design, exhibiting only minor, natural age-related texture.
Wooden Base: The wooden stand is completely stable and holds the curvature of the bottle securely. The brass nameplate has a clean, highly legible script with a light, authentic age patina.
Noted Flaws: There is a small scuff/chip on the bottom-left corner of the wooden base (shown in the close-up photo), exposing the lighter raw wood beneath the dark stain. The rest of the wood finish shows minor, light shelf wear consistent with age and display.
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