NARROW (CANAL) BOAT The striking artwork which adorns the narrow
boats of Britain is also known as Roses and Castles. The
hallmarks of this traditional style are swags of stylized
flowers and castle scenes, executed in brilliant colours on the
outside of the boats as well as the interiors and utensils. It
is a relatively modern form of folk art which dates from the
coming of the railway to Britain, when the canal families were
forced through reduced economic circumstances to leave their
homes and live on the boats. The floating homes began to be
lavishly adorned with painted decoration and crocheted lace.
Today the brightly painted narrow boats are a tourist attraction
on the inland waterways of Britain.