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On a recent Sunday afternoon, I had the great privilege of touring ocean liner rock star Peter Knego's astonishing home. Situated in Moorpark, California, the casual passerby would never know that this contemporary house is really a treasure-trove of important -- and I do mean important -- artifacts from the great liner era. For those who don't know Peter (and you call yourself a ship geek!), he's the co-founder of Maritime Matters and the man behind Midshipcentury. Peter basically keeps track of all historic vessels still with us, and when that tragic time comes that they are beached for scrapping, Peter is there to purchase and remove important art, furniture, architectural elements and details, which are then either installed in his home, or offered for sale to other collectors. While walking through his home, one really does feel as if they're aboard a classic liner, the SS Moorpark, which is a wonderful pastiche of the Windsor Castle, Stella Solaris, and other vintage vessels. I hope you enjoy the photos of Peter's enviable collection and installation, and don't forget to check out both his websites to learn how you can acquire some of these important salvaged items. An index to the pictures follows, with text provided by Peter Knego himself. You may click on each photo to see a larger image.
1. Brass rings over door from SS EMPRESS OF CANADA's first class Mayfair Lounge. Hammered brass panels in entryway by Emanuele Luzzati from MV STELLA OCEANIS (depicting Minoan symbols), tall mirror from first class stairtower of SS EMPRESS OF CANADA. Metallic screen by Emanuele Luzzati from MV STELLA OCEANIS (depicting slaying of the Minotaur and Odysseus tied to the mast as he sails by the Sirens). Settees in foreground from chief engineer's office of RMS WINDSOR CASTLE.
2. Mahogany, nickel and hyde doors from RMMV AUREOL's first class smoking room. Behind the doors are portions of an Enrico Paulucci melamine panel from the purser's lobby of SS STELLA SOLARIS. Mirror from SS EMPRESS OF CANADA tourist class lounge. Tables from SS IVERNIA's dining room.
3. Fireplace mantel from captain's office of SS PRINCIPE PERFEITO. Painting of PRINCIPE PERFEITO by Don Stoltenberg. Light fixtures from SS PRINCIPE PERFEITO. Model of RMS FRANCONIA (ex IVERNIA) restored by Tom Nicolai.
4. Etched glass and nickel maple leaf panel by Nan Elsan from SS EMPRESS OF CANADA's Canada Room. Nickel maple leaf from balustrade on balcony of same room. Settee designed by Gustavo Pulitzer Finale (made by Cassina) from Incres Line's MV VICTORIA's El Patio Lounge. Hammered silver panel by Emanuele Luzzati from Incres Line's MV VICTORIA's passageway to the theater/cinema. Siemen's telegraph from wheelhouse of RMS IVERNIA/FRANCONIA.
5. Oil painting of RMMV AUREOL by Don Stoltenberg framed in one of the ship's oak door frames. Paneling from stairtower of RMMV AUREOL. Tourist class bar (mahogany, nickel, and formica) from RMMV AUREOL, wheel from RMS SAXONIA/CARMANIA. Blue chair by Nino Zoncada (made by Cassina) for SS EUGENIO C's dining room. Rose chair by Gustavo Pulitzer (made by Cassina) for Incres Line's MV VICTORIA. In foreground at right, a bit of Emanuele Luzzati's gold leaf painting, "Chariots" from SS STELLA SOLARIS' dining room.
6. Stairtower (work in progress) railings from RMS IVERNIA. Top banister includes brass and nickel railings from SS EMPRESS OF CANADA (note CP medallions for Canadian Pacific). Hutch and display case from captain's office of SS PRINCIPE PERFEITO. Small painting in stairtower from MV GRIPSHOLM.
7. Hutch and display case from captain's office of SS PRINCIPE PERFEITO. Silver from Elder Dempster Line, P&O, Royal Mail Line, and CNN (Companhia Nacional de Navegacao) -- all rescued from MV AUREOL and SS PRINCIPE PERFEITO when they were scrapped in India. Model of SS NIEUW AMSTERDAM (1938) restored by Tom Nicolai.
8. Emanuele Luzzati ceramics from MV STELLA OCEANIS' Aphrodite Dining Room. Hammered brass figure by Emaunele Luzzati (in center) from SS STELLA SOLARIS' Purser's Lobby. Nickel and frosted glass light fixture from RMMV AUREOL's first class dining room. Stairtower railings (work in progress) from RMS IVERNIA.
9. Ceramics by Emanuele Luzzati from MV STELLA OCEANIS' Aphrodite Dining Room. Hammered nickel Luzzati panels from MV STELLA OCEANIS's starboard passageway. Bedframe back from RMS IVERNIA first class stateroom. Bedframe front from SS EMPRESS OF CANADA first class stateroom. Chairs from RMS QUEEN MARY stateroom. Dressers from SS IVERNIA first class stateroom. Kay Korbing brass and Orrefors crystal light fixtures from MV WINSTON CHURCHILL.
10. Hammered brass panels and ceramics by Emanuele Luzzati from MV STELLA OCEANIS. Chair from RMS QUEEN MARY. End table and dressers from RMS IVERNIA/FRANCONIA first class staterooms. Compass and binnacle from MV STELLA OCEANIS. Mirror from first class stairtower of SS EMPRESS OF CANADA. Ottomans from SS PRINCIPE PERFEITO. Room "FRANCONIA" green.
11. Same as Image #2.
12. Same as Image #3, plus light fixture in lower right corner is from SS EUGENIO C's cinema and corner of table is from RMS IVERNIA's dining room (not sure if first or tourist).
Special thanks to Peter for permission to share these pictures here! As always, please be a good netizen and don't copy! Enjoy!
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