"Figure Heads"

A figurehead is a carved wooden decoration found at the bow of ships, generally of a design related to the name or role of a ship. They were predominant between the 16th and 20th centuries, and modern ships' badges fulfill a similar role.

Although earlier ships had often had some form of bow ornamentation (e.g. the eyes painted on the bows of Greek and Phoenician galleys, the Roman practice of putting carvings of their deities on the bows of their galleys, and the Viking ships of ca. A.D. 800–1100), the general practice was introduced with the galleons of the 16th century, as the figurehead as such could not come to be until ships had an actual stem head structure on which to place it.

Figureheads were carved and painted figure ornamenting the bow of a ship (that’s the front to you landlubbers!). Many figureheads relate to the name of the vessel, or to the owner, although some are simply a random decorative device. Caryatids, allegorical figures, putti, gods, warriors and other devices were all borrowed from high art. The style would often derive from whatever artistic or architectural ideas were most popular on shore at that time.

From the mid-18th century onwards the human figure more or less replaced animals, and elaborately carved pieces were highly regarded. At that point in history, a ship was a source of pride as well as profit. The new breed of fast clipper ships and reliable ocean-going steamers all bore figureheads. However, the great cost and weight of these magnificent figureheads began to eat into the time and money spent on build safety. The Royal Navy intervened, and excessive work was halted. An outright ban on figurative carving for ships was not successful, as the tradition (and superstition) of figureheads was impossible to eradicate from seafaring communities.

The Cutty Sark Maritime Museum in the United Kingdom is home to the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. The collection is gathered like a colorful choir at the north end of the gallery.

It’s been said that the ship’s figurehead of the 18th & 19th centuries were usually in the image of a woman as each ship is called a she! Some boats were named after a skipper’s beloved or a female goddess with the hope that she would protect them.  Navy Admiral, Francis D. Foles once said …

“A ship is called a she because there is always a great deal of bustle around her; there is usually a gang of men about; in the days of sailing she had a waist and stays; it takes a lot of paint to keep her good-looking; it is not the initial expense that breaks you, it is the upkeep; she can be all decked out; it takes an experienced man to handle her correctly; and without a man at the helm, she is absolutely uncontrollable. She shows her topsides, hides her bottom and, when coming into port, always heads for the buoys.”

The great irony of calling a boat she is that until recent years there was a rule of no women on board. Historically, women were thought to bring bad luck. This had a practical basis because women distracted sailors while performing important duties. Conversely, a naked woman was thought to calm the seas, hence why the figurehead was naked on the bow of the ship.

Which reminds me of some dialogue between a woman and her husband …

“Men are from Venus!”

I said, trying to make the best of a difference of opinion I was having with my beloved…

“And women…”

“No, its women who are from Venus,” she interjected. “That is, if you’re going to go along with that silly book.”

We could agree on that one thing, apparently. I plunged along…

“That can’t be right. It’s all in the rhyme.”

“What rhyme?”

… She said. I had her there…

“You know, ‘It was on the good ship Venus, the ship’s figurehead was the Captain’s…”

“That doesn’t make sense. And anyway, it’s all about the ‘V.’ You know, Venus, vagina, vulva.”

“Venereal,” I said, “The disease of love. Venus, of love.”

She gave me a Look, adding…

“That just goes to prove that all men are pigs.”

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