Object Description
A carved and shaped teak seat back from the launch of minesweeper H M S Bluebell, of shaped rectangular form with a central panel with 3in brass lettering HMS Bluebell, with braced back supports, carved with a confronting pair of sinuous dragons on a ground of cloud scrolls above five wave crests. Anglo Chinese, circa 1916.
Provenance: This hung above the bar of the Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club, Portsmouth.
Footnote: Bluebell was an ‘Acacia’ Class sloop built by Scotts BD Greenock in 1915; in 1916 she intercepted the S.S. Libau disguised as a merchantman smuggling arms to the Irish republic. After the war she served on the China Station based at Hong Kong which is presumably where this attractive Oriental seatback was carved. She was broken up in 1930.