Vasa museum, Stockholm

This ship is called the Vasa, and in 1628 she was the largest warship in the world. She was commissioned by the King of Sweden and is covered in carvings of lions, Roman gods and all sorts of other grand designs, including on the inside. She was brightly painted and must have looked spectacular as she sailed across Stockholm harbour on her way to create problems for the King of Poland. (Who was the Swedish king's cousin, and had himself previously been King of Sweden. They seem to have moved around like football managers). Unfortunately, she was top-heavy and, humiliatingly for his highness, sank in the harbour after only 20 minutes. The brackish water preserved her in fantastic condition until she was raised in the 1960's.