Chinese River Junk Model — Hand-Knotted Fishing Net & Bamboo Pole Details
$128.00
Sale price
$128.00
Regular price
Skip to product information
Chinese River Junk Model — Hand-Knotted Fishing Net & Bamboo Pole Details
$128.00
Sale price
$128.00
Regular price
This is not a souvenir. It is a river junk — a handcrafted wooden fishing boat model made to order in the Ocean Relic Studio workshop in Zhoushan, Zhejiang.
The fishing boat was the most democratic vessel in Chinese maritime history. While the great ocean-going junks carried silk and porcelain across the Indian Ocean, the river fishing junk — 江南渔船 — fed the people. Flat-bottomed for shallow water, multi-tiered cabin for shelter across long fishing seasons, bamboo poles for net-setting and river-pushing: this was a vessel designed by generations of fishermen who understood exactly what they needed and built accordingly.
The hand-knotted net suspended from the bow poles was not a decoration. It was the reason the boat existed. Our craftsmen grew up on an island where this tradition was still alive. They did not reconstruct this vessel from historical records. They built it from memory and practice.
This model is made in our Zhoushan workshop, founded in 1980 by the father of our master craftsman. Every plank is shaped by hand. The net is hand-knotted. The cabin structure is assembled joint by joint.
The Materials
The hull is built from coastal hardwood, hand-sanded and finished with a light protective oil. The net is hand-knotted from natural fiber. The bamboo poles are natural, not painted or lacquered. The finish throughout is honest: what you see is what the material is.
What You Receive
- One handcrafted river junk fishing boat model with net, built to order in Zhoushan
- Natural wood hull, bamboo poles, hand-knotted fiber net
- Dimensions: 38 cm L × 10 cm W × 13 cm H
- Materials: coastal hardwood, natural bamboo, hand-knotted net
- No assembly required — arrives display-ready
Who This Is For
This is a model for someone drawn to the working history of China — not the imperial courts or the treasure fleets, but the everyday vessels that sustained a civilization. It suits a study, a bookshelf, or a desk where the owner wants an object with genuine historical weight.
As a gift, it is well-suited to the maritime history enthusiast, the traveler who has spent time in southern China, or anyone who values craft and provenance over novelty.
Display & Care
Place away from direct sunlight and high-humidity environments. Dust occasionally with a soft dry brush, taking care around the net. The natural materials may shift slightly in color with age — this is the patina of honest materials, not deterioration.
Made to order in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China. Each piece is unique. Minor variations in grain, color, and finish are inherent to handcrafted work and are not defects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Jiangnan river fishing junk (江南渔船)?
江南渔船 refers to the traditional fishing boats of the Jiangnan region — the river delta south of the Yangtze, encompassing modern Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. These flat-bottomed vessels were designed for the shallow, reed-lined waterways of the region, and were the primary means of freshwater fishing for communities throughout the area for over a thousand years. The multi-tiered cabin and bamboo pole rigging are characteristic features of this vessel type.
How is the hand-knotted net made?
The net on this model is knotted by hand from natural fiber — the same technique used to make full-scale fishing nets in traditional Chinese fishing communities. Each knot is tied individually, which means the net has the irregular, organic texture of real knotted fiber rather than the uniform appearance of machine-made mesh. It is suspended from the bow poles in the same configuration used on working river fishing boats.
How does this model differ from the A-8 straw cabin model?
The key difference is the net. This model features a hand-knotted fishing net suspended from the bow poles — the defining element of a net-fishing river junk. The A-8 model has a straw-thatched cabin and bamboo rigging but no net, representing a slightly different working boat form. Both are river fishing junks, but each emphasizes a different aspect of the fishing tradition.
Does it require assembly?
No. The model arrives fully assembled and display-ready.
Is each model exactly the same?
No. Because every model is handmade from natural materials, small variations in wood grain, net texture, and bamboo tone are natural. These differences are part of the character of handcrafted work.
Authentic Craft Collectors · Nautical Home Decor · Maritime History Enthusiasts · Meaningful Handmade Gifts · Home Library Decor · Cultural Art Collectors
Shipping & Damage Protection
Each model is individually inspected and photographed before shipment. We pack every piece with archival-grade materials designed for fragile, handcrafted objects.
If your model arrives damaged:
- Contact us within 7 days of delivery
- Send photos of the damage and packaging
- We will arrange replacement parts, repair guidance, or a suitable resolution — no bureaucracy, no runaround
We stand behind every piece that leaves our workshop.
Shipping
We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.
Manufacturing
Every model is made in our Zhoushan workshop in Zhejiang, China. We do not use mass-production factories or dropshipping suppliers.