Skip to main content
Collections Menu
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Model of the Ship "Pompee"
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA

Model of the Ship "Pompee"

Artifact IDMO 79.188
Object Type Model
Date 19th century
Gifter
Medium Ivory, sinew, wood, metal
DimensionsOverall H 26 1/2 in x W 10 in x D 32 in (67.3 cm x 25.4 cm x 81.3 cm )
Physical DescriptionShip model of the 74 gun French frigate "Pompee", a three-masted ship with full rigging. The bow has a warrior figurehead, a dingy hangs aft. The ship has cannons out of the gun ports.
Historical NoteThis ship model was given to the President by Mr. Aristotle Onassis, through Princess Lee Radziwill, sister of Jacqueline Kennedy, on July 15, 1963.
The model was crafted by a prisoner of war during the French Revolutionary or Napoleonic wars. Prisoners dried and bleached the bones from their meals and then scraped, cut, and carved them to make ship models. This was a popular pastime from 1775-1825.
The Pompee was launched by the French in 1768, and was captured and taken into the British Royal Navy in 1793. It played an important role in the battles in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem is from the personal collection of President Kennedy. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1979.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesJohn F. Kennedy Personal Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view