Caiques are traditional wooden boats of the Mediterranean and used for short journeys, fishing, carrying small amounts of cargo or for transporting people. Regional variations did occur, so that around coasts and islands of the Aegean Sea and the Bosporus a caique was a type of long, narrow rowing boat. More decorative ‘state’ or ‘imperial’ caiques were also used to transport high ranking officials or royalty. Imperial caiques would have elaborate and colourful bow and stern decorations, with gold fittings and a pavilion – a type of canopy. Fourteen Imperial caiques are on display at Turkey’s Naval Museum. Around Greece and Malta caiques were more likely to be small, brightly painted, rigged boats similar to this model. Traditional Greek caiques are now more likely to be used in the tourist sector due to changes in the fishing industry.
This model was brought to you with help from Museums Galleries Scotland as part of the ‘Exploring the Ship Model Collection at the McManus’ project.
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