Half Hull Model of S.S. Great Eastern c.1860

Made in the mid to late 19th century by an enthusiast, this is a rare scratch built model of the world famous S.S. Great Eastern by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The naive style carved wood 'half-hull' model was found recently in a collection on the south coast of England in its original wooden case with carrying handle. In original condition, the glazed case has some wear from its age. Wikipaedia says- SS Great Eastern was an iron sailing steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by J. Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall Iron Works on the River Thames, London. She was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, was of a size to straddle the Thames at Greenwich and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without refuelling.