Model boat, mas dhoni, used for fishing or transportation in the Maldives. The keeled hull has been built frame first with carvel (flush laid) planking fastened to the frames with dowels. Contains a gunwale / wooden frame around the sheer (top) strake, a series of frames and crossbeams. Two planks forming part of the decking are positioned on the frame and crossbeam structure suggesting there would have been more decking on the rest of the model which is now missing. There is a mast step in the centre of the hull but the mast and sail are missing. There is a label under one of the decking planks with the words ‘De Tabacos de Filip’.
Dhoni is a generic term for a boat hence they vary in size and function. The Maldive Islands mas dhoni today are often motorised. The label on this particular model suggests there has once been a connection with a Spanish tobacco company.
