Wooden ship models are built-to-scale representations of modern or ancient sea-faring vessels.

Traditionally, all types of ship models have been built of wood, though with the advent of plastic and sheet metal, these have been used for amateur kits. Of course, wooden models project grandeur and finesse. The ancient Egyptians were the pioneers who made detailed ship models. The models were crafted as part of funeral rituals, which forced the builders to strive for precision, otherwise the unmitigated soul would pester them. The ship models kept inside the coffin were supposed to transport the soul of the deceased to the next world.

Modern-day sea-faring received much instruction from these carefully preserved, 5,000- year-old models. Specimens of these boats found a place in the British Museum, the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many other museums worldwide.

Modern-day ship models came into existence before or during the construction of many eighteenth- and nineteenth-century warships. These were known as Admiralty or Shipyard models. Many of these models did not show the timbering they would have in the actual vessel, but the models illustrated the form of the hull and details of the deck furnishings, masts, spars, and general frame. The models provided the non-sea-faring financiers with a birds-eye view of the vessel that was to come into being. There are several types of construction of a wooden ship model. Some are carved from a single block of wood, others by gluing together blocks of wood, or by gluing together of slabs of wood into a laminated block. Others are built on what is called plank-on frame, built just as the full-size ship is constructed.

Wooden models of all types of vesselsluxury cruise liners, war ships, sailing shipsare available from dealers. A wooden model of a Chalutier ship costs $149.95; a USS Ronald Regan model costs $999; a wooden model Schooner costs $26.96; a Harvey wooden model costs $110; a Cutty Sark Wooden model costs $189; and an Atlantic costs $195.95. There are various price ranges for the connoisseur.