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A naive 19th century sailor's sweetheart woolwork, or 'woolie', of the Euphrates-class troopship HMS Serapis. A wonderfully graphic example, with stylised clouds outlined in red, and an intricate sea in different tones of green. In overall good condition with good bright colours and very few losses. Some dust shadowing to outer edges.
 
HMS Serapis was a Euphrates-class troopship, commissioned for the transport of troops to and from India. Built by the Thames Shipbuilding Company, London, in 1866. It had a troop capacity of 1200. In 1875 she transported the Prince of Wales to India to celebrate Queen Victoria's appointment as Empress of India. By 1886 she had become part of the Indian Training Squadron (H. M. I. T. S.).