Painted Glass Float
by Willie Thomson known as Willie o' Neven
glass, enamel paint 7" across
from Bill Muir, Pool, Sanday
Willie o' Neven was born in 1901 on North Ronaldsay: a friend and contemporary of John Scott of Stove who was also born and raised there. Willie was a fisherman, crofter and Receiver of Wrecks. In his retirement he painted hundreds of schooners and sailing ships on glass fishing floats, as well as bottles, flowerpots and whatever came to hand. These he gave freely away.
