Le Village in Madagascar revives the 17th-century ship Soleil d’Orient, crafting detailed models cherished by collectors worldwide.
In Madagascar, skilled craftsmen are working to restore a 17th-century French trading ship, the Soleil d’Orient, which sank carrying treasure.
Rafah Ralahy, with 30 years of experience, is meticulously sanding the wood to bring the ship back to life.
Creating a miniature version of the original 1,000-ton ship requires patience and precision, especially in shaping the hull.
The Soleil d’Orient, a prestigious ship from the French East India Company, sank in 1681 with ambassadors and treasures.
A custom wooden replica from Le Village, a company founded in 1993, costs over $2,500, including shipping.
The craftsmen aim to stay true to the ship’s original blueprints, ensuring historical accuracy.
Le Village has a rich history of creating models of famous historical ships for royal and collector clients, with prices ranging from $150 to $10,000.
The company’s focus on historical accuracy and innovation has led to the restoration of ships like the HMS Bounty and the Titanic.
Despite Madagascar’s lack of traditional shipbuilding culture, Le Village continues to thrive, with over two dozen model makers dedicated to their craft.
The company’s plans include financial stability, expanding its collection, and possibly opening a woodworking school and a maritime museum.
The model makers in Madagascar bring history's long-lost ships back to life #Antananarivo #History #International #Life #Madagascar https://t.co/3EhUfkmN41
— IdeallyaNews (@IdeallyaNews) September 29, 2024
Ralahy sands the tough wood for the Soleil d’Orient model, thinking about the hard work ahead. Some models take over 1,000 hours.
Nearly 350 years after the first ship sank, a new Soleil d’Orient will sail again.
Every ship goes through different workshops and skilled workers. Le Village is a tight community, with many family members working together.
In one room, four women quickly finish a model, trying to meet a shipping deadline.
“It’s a race,” Alexandria Mandimbiherimamisoa said, making mini flags for the ship. Her husband, Tovo-Hery Andrianarivo, also from Le Village, feels proud seeing their work travel the world.
Andrianarivo remembers a documentary about a life-size Hermione, a frigate that carried French General Lafayette in the American War of Independence.
He felt very fulfilled seeing a Le Village model in the documentary.
“It was an amazing experience to see our model there,” Andrianarivo said.
