Wonderfully Impressive Folk Art, Whimsy Tall Ship Diorama in a Bottle

Description

This impressive 3-Liter Asbach bottle is 19 inches by 4 ½ inches and it contains 3 beautiful sailing ships, 2 under full sails, on greenish-blue water with whitecaps outside an interesting coast.  The ships are the "Funfmaster" (the 5 masted Preussen),  a "Brigantine from the 1900's", and the "Constitution" from the 18th century.  On land are 14 houses, a windmill, and the naval monument of Laboe. There is a large lighthouse with two levels of railing.  There is also a waterfall depicted with two sea shells. At the top of the falls is a colorful bird.  Another bird is perched atop the mast of the Preussen. In the center of the bottle and the town is a large cross with Jesus.
Under the bottle are three labels with the names of the three ships. There is another label with the name and address of the builder of this diorama.  The label reads: "1979 Hans Maier, Badgasse 21, 8711 Mainbernheim." The bottle is sealed with a cork and red sealing wax joining the rope around the bottle's neck.  The bottle rests on a wooden stand.
This is a wonderfully impressive Diorama with three beautifully detailed Tall Ships built in a bottle sailing past the Laboe Naval Memorial. This Memorial is in Laboe in the vicinity of Kiel in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The Memorial was completed in 1936, the monument originally memorialized the World War I war dead of the Imperial German Navy. Since the end of World War II, however, it commemorates sailors of all nationalities who died during the World Wars. The monument consists of an 85 meter high tower resembling either the stem of a Viking ship or the conning tower of a submarine, a hall of remembrance, and an observation deck.
Shipping and Other Important Information
While we pack well to protect the item, it is impossible to secure the contents of the bottle, so at our expense we will provide insurance for the buyer in the amount of the purchase price. We will also ship this bottle as a free service to the Buyer living in the continental Unites States. International buyers please inquire as to shipping cost.
We require payment by PayPal within two days of the end of the auction. We try to describe our pieces very accurately and buyer understands that the item is being sold "As Is" so please ask questions before bidding. The pictures included are to be considered as a part of this auction's description and we are happy to provide additional pictures or information upon request.
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