Fort Norfolk from the Elizabeth River- Marine Painting by J Robert Burnell

A recent article written by Robert McCabe published in the Virginian Pilot reminded me of an original watercolor painting that we currently have on display at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Art Gallery. The article titled "Fort Norfolk got the first look at "rockets' red glare" traces the history of views from Fort Norfolk on June 22, 1813, during the Battle of Craney Island, when a force of about 700 American troops held off a two-pronged British assault by 3,000 to 4,000 men. Here's the link to the rockets red glare article from the Virginian Pilot.

The painting depicted here is by Portsmouth Virginia's renowned artist J. Robert Burnell titled "Fort Norfolk from the Elizabeth River" was painted in 1994, a tranquil scene with a boy sailing a dingy in the foreground and a three masted ship docked at the water's edge. The view features the fort on the left and a brick structed house in the center. The watercolor measures 18 X 30 inches (view) and 24 X 36 inches framed. Here are a few images (sorry, there's some glare in the image from the glass).  Here is the link to the painting of Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Art Gallery website.

Fort Norfolk from the Elizabeth River, an original watercolor by J. Robert Burnell.

Fort Norfolk is an historic fort and national historic district located at Norfolk, Virginia. With the original buildings having been built between 1795 and 1809, the fort encompasses 11 contributing buildings which include: main gate, guardhouse, officers' quarters, powder magazine, and carpenter's shop. Fort Norfolk is the last remaining fortification of President George Washington’s 18th Century harbor defenses. It has served as the district office for the U. S. Army Engineer District, Norfolk since 1923.

Close-up view of Fort Norfolk from the Elizabeth River.

Close-up view of the brick building and the moored frigate.

You can view our large collection of marine art on our web gallery at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Art Gallery. You can visit Skipjack's gallery located in historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

Skipjack Nautical Wares 

& Marine Art Gallery

620 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

www.skipjacknauticalwares.com

757-399-5012

Visit our website for current gallery hours

Skipjack- The Premier Marine Art Gallery of Hampton Roads, Virginia

There are a number of exceptional art galleries to visit around coastal Virginia with a wide spectrum of art to peruse. Coastal Virginia is known as the Tidewater Region and Hampton Roads that includes Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton and Williamsburg cities. Here's the link on Goggle to the listing of art galleries in the Hampton Roads area. 

"U.S. Gunboat 'Scorpion' in the Battle of Cedar Point, 1814" By Peter Rindlisbacher

But only one gallery is solely focused on artwork created by marine artists. Since 2003, our unique art gallery located in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia has featured an extensive inventory of original  marine, nautical, maritime paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, wood carvings, sailor and folk art, ship models, and scrimshaw by some of the region and the world’s leading marine artists working today including Peter Rindlisbacher, Larry Bage, Jim Bolland, Kevin Collins, Bob Holland, Jac & Patricia Johnson, Sam Lafever, Joe Marinelli, Sandy Nelson, William Barth Osmundsen and David Weiss.

"Swimming Mermaid" folk art carving by Jac & Patricia Johnson

"LOOKDOWN SCHOOL" Marine Art Bronze Sculpture by Larry Bage

The S.S. United States by Bob Holland

"Summerwind," oil on canvas by Sandy Nelson

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Art Gallery is proud to offer to discriminating collectors an opportunity to select from these fine marine artworks currently available for sale. We also create changing art exhibitions and opportunities to meet the artists are also offered throughout the year.      

If you’re looking for something with special personal significance, Skipjack can assist you in creating unique commissioned work of art through a selection of our artists.

"Don't Give Up the Ship" commissioned folk art carving by Jac & Patricia Johnson

A consignment and appraisal service is also available through Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Art Gallery to help collectors sell work from their personal collections. Just give us a call at 757-399-5012 or email us at skipjacknauticalwares@gmail.com.

Skipjack Nautical Wares 

& Marine Art Gallery

620 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

www.skipjacknauticalwares.com

757-399-5012
Visit our website for current gallery showroom hours.
Shop our web gallery 24/7!

The Nautical Lamps Co., Mfrs. of Nautic Brand Products, Plainville, Conn.

Every once in a while we run across a vintage or antique nautical item that has little known history or provenance. Recently, we acquired a 1930's vintage small boat anchor lantern with the label from a little-known marine manufacturer, The Nautical Lamps Co., Plainville, Connecticut. The company produced a wide range of marine and navigational lamps, lanterns, searchlights and other similar products.

Our research found a few articles that were posted in early to mid 1930's copies of Motor Boating Magazine. The articles listed the company The Nautical Lamp Company was organized  in Plainville, Connecticut in early 1932. A second article was a notification that the company was purchased by Wilcox, Crittenden & Company, Inc. of Middleton, Conn. in the later part of 1936, so the company was only in production for four years.

Here are images of the anchor lantern with it's NAUTIC BRAND manufacturer's label. We have seen a few other examples listed for sale (or sold) on the web, so other examples can be found. For other images and information, visit the webpage on Skipjack Nautical Wares website.

1930's galvanized metal small boat anchor lantern
manufactured by the Nautical Lamp Company of Plainville, Conn.

NAUTIC BRAND label

Anchor lantern shown with removable burner.

Skipjack Nautical Wares specializes in vintage and antique ship's lanterns and lights. We offer a wide variety of marine lighting, manufactured throughout the 19th and 20th century for small craft to big ships by the best known American and foreign makers. These manufacturers include Perkins, Perko, National Marine Lamp Co., Kilborn-Sauer, Wilcox Crittenden, George Carpenter, Robert Findlay, Triplex, A. Ward Hendrickson, Peter Gray, Metorite, Robert Findlay Mfg., Russell Stoll Makers, Lovell, Den Haan, Tung Woo and Sento of Japan, Sea Horse, J.H. Peters & Bey and other historic makers. You will also find a selection of new marine lamps from makers like Den Haan and Weems & Plath. Here's a link to Skipjack's selection of marine lanterns at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Art Gallery.

Skipjack Nautical Wares 

& Marine Art Gallery

620 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

www.skipjacknauticalwares.com

757-399-5012
Visit our website for current gallery showroom hours.
Shop our web gallery 24/7!

Top 10 Nautical Gifts For All Occasions 2017

One question that we are frequently asked here at Skipjack is...I'm shopping for a gift... something for an upcoming birthday, Mother's or Father's Day, maybe a house warming gift, military retirement, and a special Christmas gift for the nautical enthusiast. And of course when they're visiting our gallery we know that they're searching for something nautical. So here's our "customer's choice" top ten favorite nautical gifts for all occasions.

Our engravable crystal magnifier with compass coordinates
is a nautical gift for all occasions.

Number One-  Our crystal compass coordinate magnifier (pictured above) is a nautical gift for all occasions. This handsome optical-grade crystal glass magnifier features marked compass coordinates with "N" for north making it perfect for use with nautical charts. With crystal clarity and magnification of 4x, this magnifier enlarges small print on any task and is a welcome addition to desks or chart tables. The scratch resistant Crystal Magnifier is more durable than acrylic models and is packaged in an attractive felt-lined gift box, suitable for ceremonial occasions and as a gift for retirement. 

Engraving is available. Please allow an extra 2 weeks for engraving. Engraved items are not returnable or refundable.  Here's a link: Crystal magnifier with compass coordinates

Scrimshawed bone handled knives by Tony Perry make the perfect
gift for any nautical enthusiast!

Number two- Scrimshawed pocket knives by Tony Perry. Available in different style pocket knives, these bone-handled knives are expertly scrimshawed artwork are available in a variety of nautical designs. From breaching whales to racing schooners, there's plenty to pick from.
For a current selection of scrimshawed knives by Tony Perry, here's the link to Skipjack's sailors tools: Scrimshawed knives by Tony Perry.

Nautical table lamps is a good choice for a home warming gift and is also a
good choice for birthdays and Christmas gift giving.

Number three- Nautical table lamps is a good choice for a home warming gift and is also a good choice for birthdays and Christmas gift giving. Skipjack's lamp & Lighting workshop produces unique, one of a kind quality nautical table lamps created from antique and vintage retired seafaring ships lights and lanterns. We also produce marine inspired table lamps converted from other authentic maritime items such as wood blocks and other shipboard items. Our collection also includes handcrafted driftwood sculpture and fancy knotwork lamps and as well as colorful coastal creations including painted vintage lobster buoys and hand-blown glass jugs with netting and other beach home favorites. Skipjack also offers a wide selection of lampshades and lamp finials too! Here's the link to our current selection of nautical table lamps

Compass rose bar glasses will enhance for any nautical home or office.

Number four- Nautical themed wine, beer and cocktail glasses is, well, for everyone! Choose from stemmed wine glass, beer glasses and old fashion bar glasses and bar accessories. Available in nautical compass rose and fouled anchor designs. Here's the link to Skipjack's Tabletop, Bar & Entertaining
wine,

Leather and ribbon belts for men and women in nautical

and coastal designs. A perfect gift for everyone.

Number five- Nautical leather and ribbon belts for men and women is a gift that everyone loves. Choose between a variety of great nautical and coastal designs to choose from for everyday wear. In stock from sizes 32 to 48 in even sizes. Other sizes can be ordered. Expect up to two weeks for special orders. Here's the link to our selection of nautical belts for men and women (boys and girls too) in Skipjack's belts and caps.

Dress up his nautical image with silk neckties, bow ties
and cuff links from Skipjack.

Number six- While your at it, consider dressing up his nautical image with silk neckties, bow ties and cuff links from Skipjack! Another great gift idea for the nautical enthusiast. Here's the link to our selection of Skipjack's nautical silk neckties, bow ties and cufflinks.

Sterling silver sailboat necklaces and earrings from the
Barbara Vincent collection. A great gift for the sailor in your life. 

Number seven- Sterling silver sailboat jewelry from the Barbara Vincent collection. Choose from Barbara's original necklace and earring designs created for the people in your life that love to sail! Here's the link to the collection of sterling silver jewelry from Barbara Vincent.

Fine nautical designed door knockers makes a fine
house warming gift and one for yourself too!

Number eight- Door knockers have been a favorite as a home warming gift. We also think it makes a great gift to yourself! Skipjack offers a great selection of nautical (and military) designed door knockers to choose from. All are available in brass and a few nickel-plated. The one pictured above was created from an authentic 19th century rope sea chest becket (handle). Here's the link to Skipjack's collection of nautical door knockers.

Brass porthole clock or barometer is a favored retirement gift!

Number nine- Brass porthole clock and barometer is a favorite for many. Choose from this classic nautical designed clock with quartz movement or barometer housed in brass portholes or mount them as a matching pair! Great retirement gift! Here's the link to our brass porthole quartz porthole clock and barometer

Brass yacht bells make perfect gifts for military retirement,
house warming and for your coastal home.

Number ten- Our best selling gift for military retirement, house warming and for yacht owners is our high quality Italian made brass yacht bells. We also offer a wide variety of vintage and antique ships bells, bell accessories and hand-tied bell ringers, so here's the link to Skipjack's ship's bells and accessories.

Shopping at Skipjack is an easy way to find the perfect nautical gift for all occasions. Visit us online at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Art Gallery or in person at our downtown location at 620 High Street in historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

Skipjack Nautical Wares 

& Marine Art Gallery

620 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

www.skipjacknauticalwares.com

757-399-5012
Visit our website for current gallery showroom hours.
Shop our web gallery 24/7!