Santa Maria Model Appraisal

Santa Maria 1492 Wooden Ship Model

This is a detailed wooden scale model of the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus's flagship from his 1492 voyage. The model is constructed primarily of light-toned wood, likely pine or basswood, and features a multi-masted design with fabric sails. The sails are off-white with vertical pinstripes and are prominently decorated with red and teal tempered crosses, reflecting the iconography of the Spanish exploration period. The hull is built using a plank-on-frame style, showing visible horizontal seams and small circular dark accents representing portholes or rivets. A blue-painted transom at the stern adds a decorative touch. The rigging is intricate, utilizing thin black cordage to represent shrouds, stays, and halyards, though some lines appear slightly slack or tangled due to age. A small anchor ornament hangs from the bow. The ship is mounted on a black display stand featuring a silver-toned plaque that reads 'Santa Maria 1492' in a gothic script. The overall condition is fair to good; there is visible dust accumulation across the rigging and deck, and the fabric of the sails shows slight yellowing consistent with vintage decorative items from the mid-to-late 20th century. The craftsmanship is commensurate with mid-tier hobbyist kits or commercial decor pieces intended for display in libraries or nautical-themed rooms.