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With a career spanning over 30 years, Andy Peters is recognized as a leading craftsman in the field of naval sculpture. His rich and varied career has been built around a passion for preservation and innovation in maritime decorative art. At the Fêtes Maritimes de Brest 2024, where we met him, his skills captivated the attention of enthusiasts and professionals alike, highlighting an ancestral art that he strives to keep alive while adapting to contemporary sensibilities
Restoring without altering
Restoring figureheads always raises the crucial question of conservation versus restoration. Andy points out: '' Preservation requires minimal intervention, preserving what remains without replacing missing or damaged parts ''. The boundary between these two approaches is often blurred, especially for pieces such as figureheads, which are rarely preserved in ideal museum conditions. Having restored numerous figureheads for collectors and museums, Andy Peters has in-depth expertise in their meticulous construction and dismantling. He knows all about the internal decay and failure that can affect these maritime sculptures.
Often, these works require the renewal of their inner core to regain their structural strength. This can be achieved using traditional carving techniques, combined with consolidation of materials to preserve as much of the original as possible. By using antique tools and mastering old-fashioned craft techniques, Andy Peters is able to recreate the missing sections to restore life and integrity to historic figureheads.
The legacy of the tafferels
The "tafferel", derived from the Dutch word "tafel" meaning table and "tafe'reel" designating a scene, is a sculpture adorning the stern of a ship. Traditionally, this central decoration illustrates the origin or name of the ship, often framed by emblems and symbolic figures. Today, Andy Peters continues this tradition with designs for replicas of historic ships, as well as contemporary designs for modern yachts. The sculptures on the stern of the Götheborg, a replica of the Swedish East India ship of 1738, are a remarkable example, where the central SOIC emblem is flanked by nereids that evoke the Baroque elegance of the period.
Custom sculptures for all types of boats
For the sculptor, the creative possibilities in the maritime field are vast. Andy's company, Maritima, offers a wide range of sculptures, from rail ends and rudder tops to sculpted helms.
Works come in contemporary or classic styles, adding warmth and character to cabins and deck spaces. Andy collaborates with naval architects and interior designers to turn innovative ideas into distinctive pieces. The boat name panels he designs are made from wood chosen to match the boat's varnish. Depending on specific requirements, they can be laminated or steam-bent to fit the shape of the hull. Each lettering, hand-carved, far exceeds the quality of commercially cut lettering. Lettering directly onto the boat's structure, such as the register identification engraved into the deck beams, meanwhile, is achieved with precision, even when working from floating pontoons. " For more elaborate decorations, providing a few photos of the ship is always helpful in designing something that perfectly matches its character "says Andy.
