Genuine Venetian Gondola Boat From Venice

Genuine Venetian Gondola for sale.Please read carefully about the boat, it's condition and any exclusions. HistoryThe gondola is one of the ex-ISCA collection, on the National Small Boat Register no. 2504. The gondola was last on display at the Cardiff World of Boats. Before that it had been in the ISCA collection at Lowestoft, following the closure of the Exeter Maritime Museum. We bought the gondola at the online auction of boats from the ISCA collection that was held in August by the commercial auctioneers Sweeney Kincaid.

We had hoped to save it from loss or destruction, and offered it to the gondola to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley, and the Falmouth Maritime Museum, which holds the national collection of small boats, but unfortunately both declined.The gondola was originally built in 1946. The maker is unknown, but is likely to be either Tramontin, Casal, or Cooperativo Daniele Manin. It's original owner in Venice was the gondolier Mario Basana, who died in 1972. The gondola was imported to England in 1969 by a Mr Guy Sanders from Truro who used it for three years before donating it to the ISCA collection. This gondola is currently one of four in the UK; our firm owns another fully working gondola we use for hire, the second is owned by a colleague in Oxford, and the third by a film services company for use as a film prop.

DescriptionThe gondola is approximately 36ft long and 4 1/2 feet wide and weighs around 600kg. This gondola is an unusual gondola di lusso, or luxury gondola, with every upper surface carved with wonderful figures and swirling plant-like motifs. It also has an extraordinary set of parts over and above that which normal gondolas are normally equipped. As a gondola di lusso rigged as a wedding gondola it includes gold painted internal panels, two high backed carved seats, and additional bronzes figures either side of the main seat. Note that the ornate carving over the centre of the main seat is not included or for sale.

The gondola would have had brocade or damask covers to the cushions, but apart from the main seat back, the soft furnishings are all missing. It does have an oar, but not a forcola, or oar crutch used to row it with. In addition to the above, the gondola has a very rare gondola cabin, or felze, shown seperately in the last two pictures. It is in poor condition and incomplete, missing a door and rear panel to the cabin, but it is one of a handful of original cabins left in the world, mostly in museums. As far as we are aware it dates from the early 1900’s.

ConditionIn terms of it’s condition the gondola's structure is weakened, with some joints starting to separate and seams beginning to open. There is evidence of decay commensurate with a boat of it’s age, however it is in one piece. It could go on display as it is, but it would also benefit from some conservation work in the future to maintain it’s integrity. It would not float and would need extensive restoration to be able to be used as a working boat. The gondola would ideally be suitable as a display piece.

Further DetailsPlease contact Nick Birch for further details via the messaging service, or directly on 0phone. The gondola is in a store outside Stratford-upon-Avon and available for viewing by appointment.