Model Boat-Building Team in Madagascar Makes Waves

A Unique Craft

A model boat-building team in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, makes the country’s crafts industry shine.

The island of Madagascar is not renowned for its shipbuilding tradition, but things changed when a workshop known as ‘The Village’ was launched in 1993.

A History of Success

Since then, The Village has hand-crafted ships for the King of Spain and even the Pope.

Exhibiting at Homo Faber

The Village will have two of its ships being exhibited at the upcoming Homo Faber biennial fair in Venice on 30 September 2024.

Homo Faber is an international celebration of the world’s best craftsmanship.

Gregory Postel, a model enthusiast and French investor, who became a co-owner of The Village last year, says, “Investing in people, pushing them to go above and beyond to make tailor-made models, and at the end, someone specialized in luxury craftsmanship, the best in the world, tells us ‘we can’t make do without you, you have to come’, for me it’s a success. It’s a first step, but it’s such a fabulous success.”

Stimulating the Economy

His goal is to make Madagascar an international jewel of craftsmanship – it is one of the poorest countries in the world, so this type of investment and prestige is important for growing the local economy.

The Village employs 32 craftspeople, some of whom have been there since the foundation of the company and were trained by the founder. In turn, the more experienced veterans have trained the newer recruits because there is no formal craftsmanship school in Madagascar.

The Craftsmanship Process

Romy Henintsoa, an assistant manager at The Village, explains the steps necessary for the models’ construction:

“It starts with the wood cutting, then the production of the deck, the production of the pieces, there are three types: the sculpted, hand-made and turned pieces, then it’s the deck fittings, then it’s the finishing stage with the sail workshop,” she says.

Each model takes between a month and ten months to produce, depending on the size and level of detail. The Village obtains plans from museums, shipping associations or marine architects to reproduce accurate miniature versions.

Materials and Price

The Village mostly makes boats from the age of sail because information about modern battleships is highly-sensitive and not shared by the various navies.

The boats are sanded, sewn, painted and varnished before being prepared for shipping (albeit not by their own sails).

The price of the models starts at 150 euros but can reach upwards of 10,000 euros for the larger pieces.

All the raw materials come from Madagascar, like Anakaraka wood, and the sails are made from Malagasy cotton dipped in tea for colour and the iron and copper are made from recycled materials.

The Impact of COVID-19

Like many companies relying on tourism, The Village suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pre-pandemic, The Village says it used to sell around 300 ships a year but now they hope to sell between 80 to 100 pieces in 2024.

Conclusion

The Village’s unique craft is not only a reflection of Madagascar’s rich history but also a symbol of its resilience and determination to shine in the world of craftsmanship.

FAQs

Q: How did The Village get its start?
A: The Village was launched in 1993, bringing a new shipbuilding tradition to Madagascar.

Q: What kind of models does The Village produce?
A: The Village mostly makes boats from the age of sail, with each model taking between a month and ten months to produce.

Q: Where do The Village’s raw materials come from?
A: All the raw materials come from Madagascar, like Anakaraka wood, and the sails are made from Malagasy cotton dipped in tea for colour and the iron and copper are made from recycled materials.

Q: Can I buy a model ship from The Village?
A: Yes, the price of the models starts at 150 euros but can reach upwards of 10,000 euros for the larger pieces.