The large scratch-built submarine in turquoise paint, sitting on a turned wood customised stand, each with brass plaques reading ‘Petrusson Tom 2013 Ironworks’ and ‘Seahorse Experimental Petrol Submarine TP/.Eng.’ respectively, the submarine having rudders, propeller, life buoy, and the tower with gun and periscope, the tower compartment opening to reveal a petrol engine, with the whole surviving from the Tom Petrusson ironworks in 2013.
Unknown.
Tom Petrusson was born 1963 in Bath, England, to Danish parents. His father was a steam model engineer whilst his mother was potter and painter to the Queen of Denmark and created the Royal Danish blue. Petrusson trained at Rolls Royce-Bristol as an engineer, then went on to train as a blacksmith with Guiseppe Lund and the Iron Art Movement of Shropshire. Later he trained as a shipwright with David Abels ship building company in Bristol. In 1990 he went to France to work as a sculptor and he lived and worked for 16 years in the gas works and forge in Lectoure (Gers). He has had over thirty exhibitions and many commissions, among which the most famous is the Dragon of Toulouse which sits in the Jardin de Japonaise, compains de caferelli, in Toulouse.
All very Wes Anderson and a future collectors item that would propel any nautical themed interior into the glory of the mighty ocean deep.
The piece is stable on its stand and has no repairs or alterations to speak of with a petrol motor akin to a lawn mower engine to be found inside which would need attention if it were to run (though we are unsure if it ever has run). There are no missing parts. The stand is original and in good order.
By appointment only.
