Catalog entry

Commentary

This example of the tope – or more commonly, “top” – was used by the Bugis people, inhabitants of Borneo. While probably owing its origins to the junks of southeastern Asia, many western features were incorporated into its hull form and rig. Such features included the square stern with galleries, a western style gaff-rigged mizzen sail, a square fore sail (albeit asymmetrically set), and a jib. The pair of rudders mounted on the stern quarters were used prior to adopting a single rudder mounted on the stern post.This example was probably a trader working in waters surrounding Borneo and eastward to islands in the Celebes Archipelago.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, French and English exploring expeditions were sent to the Indo-Pacific region, resulting in lengthy published reports on ethnic groups, their cultures, and their watercraft. Many of these reports were acquired by American libraries and other learned organizations. It is very likely that Lane, while in Boston, had access to this material and based this and other drawings (see Sooloo Pirate's Proa, 1850s (inv. 195) and Three Master, 1850s (inv. 196)) on what he found.  This leads to the questions (so far unanswered) why and for whom he made these drawings.

–Erik Ronnberg

Reference:

“Aak to Zumbra: A Dictionary of the World’s Watercraft” (Newport News, Virginia: The Mariners’ Museum, 2000), pp. 587, 588 (definitions of “top”).