Other Models

 

As the Imperial Yacht Standart regrettably could not be saved for the future we only get a good impression of her elegance and good looks thanks to the very few models that exist of her. Although numerous pictures are scattered all over the world in the various archives (which slowly make it to the internet) and a few very nice paintings exist of her, only models give a good overall impression.

So far I know of the existence of only four models of Standart; each of them I want to present to you briefly in this section. If I have not included a model that any of you readers know about, I very much appreciate to hear from you and will immediately update this section (and visit the model).

The Standart Egg (1909)

Probably the best known model of Standart is made by the famous jeweller to the Emperors of Russia, Carl Faberge. Emperor Alexander III started in the year 1885 a tradition by presenting his wife for Easter the first Faberge Imperial Easter egg ever. The tradition was carried on by his son, Emperor Nicholas II, who presented every year (except 1904 and 1905) both his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, and his mother, Maria Feodorovna, each a Faberge egg.

With Easter 1909 Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was presented the so called Standart Egg; Faberge's utmost skillfull master goldsmith Henrik Wigström had created an incredible detailed model of Standart in pure gold and platinium with a length of only 8 cm (3"). The Standart is sailing on a rock crystal sea and is cocooned in a rock crystal egg; two double headed imperial eagles, reminding of Standart's bow figure, keep the egg in between them and this whole creation in it's turn is standing on the tails of two dolphins.

Although this is the smallest model of Standart it goes without saying that she is by far the most expensive one; the Standart egg is nowadays part of the Armoury Museum in the State Museum of the Moscow Kremlin.

The Standart Egg - 1909

Standart (1895)

During construction of the Imperial Yacht Standart a model was built, as per tradition, by the modelmakers of the Burmeister & Wain shipyard. This model, in scale 1:96, has survived and is now in the collection of the Burmeister & Wain Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the first model of Standart ever made and it is a very accurate and beautiful model of Standart at the time of her completion. Her painting scheme and colours are believed to come close to the original's and various details, not even mentioned on still existing plans or other models, are to be seen on this model. The model is the only one known in existence displaying Standart with all her sails - an attractive an impressive model worth a visit.

A model of Standart in scale 1:96 at the Burmeister & Wain Museum at Copenhagen

Standart (1903)

According to a decree issued by Emperor Peter the Great all vessels to the Russian Imperial Navy were to be made as a model; thanks to this decree an enormous collection of models can be found at the Central Navy Museum in St. Petersburg. Among them are all the Imperial Yachts and a model of Standart in scale 1:48 is part of this collection. Made by the skillfull modelmakers of the former Imperial Navy this model is the largest known and consequently has a very high level of detailism. The use of various woods, nickel plated fittings, real glass windows and superb craftmanship make her absolutely a fantastic model; sadly enough the model is not part of the permanent exhibition of the museum.

Photo's of this model will soon be available.

Standart (1986)

Thanks to this webpage I was contacted early 2004 by Douglas W. Huntzinger from California, USA. Much to my surprise Douglas informed me that he himself had built a model of Standart in scale 1:96. When he attached a couple of pictures to some e-mails I could not believe my eyes - here she was. A true model of Standart built before the age of the internet by someone so far away from all direct sources and most important: a model extremely detailed and correct in colours and painting scheme.

I myself consider building my model of Standart only possible thanks to the existence of the internet; the easy and fast contacts with people, companies and institutions make the seach for information on Standart effective and efficient. Douglas must have spent an awful lot of time in search for information before he could start building his fantastic model of Standart.

It is therefore that I gladly and proudly include Douglas' model of Standart on these webpages and by the same token thank him for the continued exchange of information on Imperial Russia, the Russian Imperial Yachts and Standart in particular. Douglas is a model shipbuilder by profession and can be contacted at dwhuntzinger@cs.com

The very impressive model of Standart as built by Douglas W. Huntzinger

To: Introduction