This polychrome carving of a crouching long-haired, white and brown terrier is thought to be a support for one of the stern quarter galleries on a merchant ship, possibly called Sirius.

While not a figurehead, it illustrates not only that other parts of ships had ornately carved decorations, but also that these too could relate to the ship’s name. In astronomy, Sirius, known as the ‘Dog Star’, is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, or Great Dog. Because of the star’s brightness, it was noticed by civilisations around the world. For instance, Polynesian voyagers used it navigate around the Pacific and for Egyptians it marked the flooding of the Nile.