Inevitably, even the definition of miniatures raises questions - but it seems that scales below 16ft/in (1/192) and smaller are accepted as miniature. As real ships vary from the large to the enormous, there is a particular fascination in seeing them shrunk to a tiny size, perhaps portrayed on their own little piece of ocean, captured and frozen at an instant of calm, storm or battle! The miniature ship gives room in a normal home to show a range of vessels through history, or the competing vessels of navies, shipping lines or technologies. The skill of making the models is in deciding what can be left out without spoiling the ‘spirit’ of the ship, in finding materials which will replicate wood, iron, cordage, canvas and bunting. At these scales, almost all ‘real’ materials are denied to the miniaturist. Perhaps the greatest challenge is to find ways of holding things while you make them!