A half-length polychrome female bust figurehead as the personification of the battle of Navarino, possibly from an unknown sailing brig

A half-length polychrome female bust figurehead (no arms) of in a blue-green dress with dark red detail and gold buttons. Her dark hair is tied and plaited at the back. It sits on the top of the beakhead, painted black with gold scrollwork. The figurehead is thought to come from a trading brig wrecked at Pegwell while trying to enter Ramsgate Harbour. The name Navarino possibly relates to the battle fought between the allied navies of Britain, France and Russia against the Ottoman and Egyptian fleet in 1827. This was the last major battle the Royal Navy fought with an all-sail fleet.

Object Details

ID: ZBA7598
Type: Figurehead
Display location: Not on display
Date made: 1863
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Cutty Sark Collection. Long John Silver Collection
Measurements: Overall: 790 mm x 370 mm x 330 mm