Model ship with sails on a table next to books and a mug

Ocean-Going Chinese Junk Ship Model — Handcrafted Wooden Sailing Vessel

$528.00
$528.00
Skip to product information
Model ship with sails on a table next to books and a mug
  • Model ship with sails on a table next to books and a mug
  • Model ship with sails on a wooden surface next to a mug, with dimensions indicated.
  • Side view of a handcrafted Chinese sailing junk model with three battened sails, red and green painted hull with white trim, on a wooden display stand
  • 3/4 front view of a Chinese sailing junk model showing three full battened sails, painted hull, and wooden base, blue-grey studio background
  • 3/4 rear view of a Chinese sailing junk model showing stern, three masts with battened sails, and painted hull stripe detail, blue-grey studio background
  • Model of a wooden ship on a blue gradient background
  • Model ship with sails on a table next to books and a mug
  • Model ship with sails on a wooden surface next to a mug, with dimensions indicated.
  • Side view of a handcrafted Chinese sailing junk model with three battened sails, red and green painted hull with white trim, on a wooden display stand
  • 3/4 front view of a Chinese sailing junk model showing three full battened sails, painted hull, and wooden base, blue-grey studio background
  • 3/4 rear view of a Chinese sailing junk model showing stern, three masts with battened sails, and painted hull stripe detail, blue-grey studio background
  • Model of a wooden ship on a blue gradient background
Ocean-Going Chinese Junk Ship Model — Handcrafted Wooden Sailing Vessel

Ocean-Going Chinese Junk Ship Model — Handcrafted Wooden Sailing Vessel

$528.00
$528.00

This is not a decorative ship. It is an ocean-going junk — a handcrafted wooden sailing model made to order in the Ocean Relic Studio workshop in Zhoushan, Zhejiang.

The Chinese junk is one of the most capable sailing vessels ever designed. Its battened lug sails could be reefed quickly in a squall and adjusted for wind from almost any direction. Its compartmentalized hull — divided into watertight sections by internal bulkheads, a technology that would not appear in European shipbuilding for centuries — made it unusually survivable at sea. It sailed the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea long before European explorers reached those waters.

This model captures the ocean-going junk at its most recognizable: deep hull, layered wooden planking, traditional battened sails, carved bow and stern. Our craftsmen grew up on an island where wooden boats were still built by hand. They did not learn this form only from books. They inherited it from a living maritime environment.

This model is made in our Zhoushan workshop, founded in 1980 by the father of our master craftsman. Every plank is shaped individually. The sails are faithfully reproduced. The hull is carved and assembled by hand, one section at a time.

The Wood

We use carefully selected coastal hardwoods with a warm, rich grain suited for long-term display. The finish is achieved through hand-sanding and a light protective oil that brings out the natural character of the wood. The color you see is the timber itself — not a stain applied over a uniform surface.

What You Receive

  • One handcrafted ocean-going junk ship model, built to order in Zhoushan
  • Solid wooden display base, fitted and finished to match
  • Traditional battened lug sails, layered hull planking, carved bow and stern
  • Dimensions: 45 cm L × 13 cm W × 40 cm H
  • Materials: coastal hardwood, natural wood grain finish
  • No assembly required — arrives display-ready

Who This Is For

The ocean-going junk is the most iconic vessel in our range — the silhouette that most people associate with Chinese maritime history. It suits a living room, a study, an executive office, or any space where the owner wants a centerpiece with genuine historical weight and visual presence.

As a gift, it is well-suited to the maritime history enthusiast, the collector of Asian art and objects, or anyone who wants to give something that carries a story — not just a shape.

Display & Care

Place away from direct sunlight and high-humidity environments. Dust occasionally with a soft dry brush, taking care around the sails and rigging. The natural wood finish may deepen slightly with age — this is the patina of the timber, 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 Chinese ocean-going junk?

A Chinese ocean-going junk is a large wooden sailing vessel designed for open-sea voyages across the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. Distinguished by its battened lug sails, high stern, and compartmentalized hull with internal bulkheads, the junk was one of the most technically advanced sailing vessels of the pre-modern world. It was the primary vessel type used in Chinese maritime trade from the Tang dynasty through the Ming period and beyond.

What are battened lug sails, and why were they significant?

Battened lug sails are sails reinforced with horizontal bamboo or wooden battens that run across the full width of the sail. The battens allow the sail to be reefed quickly in sections — reducing sail area in strong wind without lowering the entire sail — and give the sail a rigid structure that maintains its shape across a wide range of wind angles. This made the junk highly maneuverable with a small crew, a significant advantage on long ocean voyages.

How does this model differ from the museum-grade junk?

This model is a display-quality ocean-going junk built for visual presence and historical accuracy at a standard suitable for home and office display. The museum-grade model is built to a higher level of structural complexity — internal framing, bulkhead placement, full rigging with correct tension — and requires several weeks of work by our most senior artisans. Both are handcrafted in the same Zhoushan workshop; the difference is in the depth of construction detail and the time invested.

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, small variations in wood grain, finish, and sail detail are natural. These differences are part of the character of handcrafted work.

Corporate Gifting  ·  Executive Office Decor  ·  Authentic Craft Collectors  ·  Nautical Home Decor  ·  Maritime History Enthusiasts  ·  Meaningful Handmade Gifts
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.

You may also like