Matchstick model

Regular matches are not used, however, but a special modeling type which do not have the combustible heads, and can be bought from art and craft shops.

Though before the serial production of these, actual matches were used with heads trimmed off, or kept on to add coloured detail.

An early pioneer in matchstick models as an art form was Australian artist Len Hughes, whose first large-scale piece was a recreation of the Battle of the Spanish Armada that included 331 replica ships.

Many kits are available, consisting of instructions, pre-cut card formers and sufficient modeling matches for the project.

An exceptionally large and impressive matchstick model was a scratch-built replica of Notre Dame Cathedral which included electric lights and measured over six feet in length.