Anonymous (Used by Roland Bodden)

Before the age of blueprints and digital modelling, Caymanian boatbuilders would utilise simple carved half-hulls to bring their designs to life. It is believed these handcrafted models served as reference tools, helping builders visualise the proportions and symmetry of a full-sized vessels.

Though far from decorative, these half-hulls were working objects: shaped, adjusted, and repeatedly handled in the workshop as the maker refined the form. These works of craftsmanship have transformed from practical use to forms of nautical art.

These models were purchased from Ira Thompson, whose private collection laid the foundation for the National Museum. They are thought to have entered the collection around 1979, preserving a tangible link to Cayman’s maritime craftsmanship.

Appearing modest, these forms contain the DNA of Cayman’s seafaring tradition. Their quiet ingenuity lies in their purpose guiding the hands that built boats to fish, ferry, and feed.